recognized by law

USAGE SUMMARY

"recognized by law" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been accepted or granted legal standing by the government or an authority, such as when describing a certain type of organization or document. For example: "The charity was officially recognized by law as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2007."

✓ Grammatically correct

Legal

Political

Social

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Around 1860 Silas wed Lucy Garvin in a slave marriage, not recognized by law.

The New York Times

d) the contact must be supported and recognized by law or custom.

University of California, Berkeley

for some reason recognized by law as justifiable; and he relies here on self-defense". App.

Cornell University

That legislation would formally create "civil partnerships" for homosexual couples who wished to have their relationships recognized by law.

The New York Times

He condemned child marriage and was instrumental in having the marriage rites of his society recognized by law in 1872.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new flag was recognized by law on February 14 , 1954 when it was approved by the British sovereign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"It's just the flip side, in the sense that they may have marriages that are recognized by federal law, but not state law".

The New York Times

So the Colorado Catholic Conference admits the abortion statute is unenforceable, but that doesn't stop it from undermining a law that would protect unborn babies, as recognized by enforceable law.

Huffington Post

Primarily in Stalin's lifetime, the public prosecutors and judges as well as functionaries of the MBP, Służba Bezpieczeństwa and the GZI WP military police engaged in acts recognized by international law as crimes against humanity and crimes against peace.

Wikipedia

Three types of legates are recognized by canon law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Spouse: A current legal spouse as recognized by state law.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the legal status of agreements or unions, use "recognized by law" to clearly indicate they have official legal standing and protection.

Common error

Avoid using "recognized by law" when you mean something is morally or socially accepted but lacks legal standing. Legal recognition carries specific rights and responsibilities that moral acceptance does not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recognized by law" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying that something is formally acknowledged and validated within a legal system. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates official legal standing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recognized by law" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something with formal legal validation. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, including legal, political, and social discussions. Its function is to assert the legal status of an entity, action, or agreement, ensuring clarity and establishing rights and obligations. While the phrase appears across multiple sources, it is most prevalent in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that you're referring to actual legal standing, not just moral or social acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally recognized

Direct synonym focusing on formal recognition.

legally acknowledged

Focuses on the formal acknowledgment within a legal framework, highlighting the act of acceptance.

permitted by law

Indicates that something is allowed and not prohibited under the existing legal regulations.

legally permissible

Similar to "permitted by law" but places more emphasis on the allowance within the legal system.

officially sanctioned

Emphasizes the formal approval and authorization provided by a governing body or legal authority.

legally validated

Highlights the process of ensuring something complies with the law and has been confirmed as lawful.

statutorily authorized

Specifically points to authorization granted through a statute or legislative act, making it a more formal alternative.

under legal approval

Suggests an ongoing state of being approved by legal standards, focusing on the approval process.

subject to legal approval

Highlights the necessity of obtaining legal authorization for an action or entity, placing importance on compliance.

within legal parameters

Highlights that an action or entity operates inside the boundaries defined by legal rules and regulations.

FAQs

How can I use "recognized by law" in a sentence?

You can use "recognized by law" to indicate that something has been given legal validity or status, such as "Same-sex marriages are "legally recognized" in many countries".

What is the difference between "accepted by law" and "recognized by law"?

While both phrases relate to the legal system, "recognized by law" specifically means something has been formally acknowledged and validated, while "accepted by law" might imply broader tolerance or compliance without formal endorsement.

What are some synonyms for "recognized by law"?

Alternatives include "legally acknowledged", "officially sanctioned", or "statutorily authorized", each carrying slightly different nuances of legal approval.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "recognized by law"?

It is suitable in legal, political, and social discussions where the legal standing of an entity, agreement, or right is being emphasized.