retroactively applied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retroactively applied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a rule, law, or policy is made effective from a date in the past rather than from the date it is enacted. Example: "The new tax regulations will be retroactively applied to all transactions made since January 1st."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

If the controls it is using now were retroactively applied to electricity sales made over the last year, the generators would be asked to refund much more money.

The New York Times

In 1994 they retroactively applied the joint name "Christo and Jeanne-Claude" to all outdoor works and large-scale temporary indoor installations.

The New York Times

A stricter anti-doping law was passed by the Spanish legislature in November 2006, but it cannot be retroactively applied to the Puerto case if indeed anybody wanted to.

The New York Times

(Years after, the settlers retroactively applied for a building permit, which Israeli authorities refused to issue, ruling that "the applicants did not prove their rights to the relevant land". Recently, several of the structures have been removed).

The New York Times - Magazine

Ufan has named his contemplative arrangements of objects — notably, boulders placed on square steel plates or cushions — "Relatum," a title he hit on in 1972, and then retroactively applied to all his sculptures.

The New Yorker

I strongly disagree with the comment by Thomas J. Snyder, secretary of the family law section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, that "if this bill is enacted, it will be retroactively applied to people who have previously given up their children with the expectation and promises of privacy".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"It's unreasonable to retroactively apply procedures intended for future use".

The New York Times - Science

"She didn't call herself a feminist," she said, "so it feels weird to retroactively apply that label.

The Guardian - Books

The state legislature amended the law to make the offense a misdemeanor, but declined to make the change retroactively apply to Mr. Wilson.

The New York Times

It retroactively applies current theories of cultural hybridity to older conceptions of race, and asks the reader to imagine what race has meant and means today.

The New Yorker

Still, the government pressed on, eventually moving to retroactively apply provisions of the 2001 Patriot Act that punish people who provide "material support" for terrorism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating the original effective date and the date to which the application is being extended.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "retroactively applied" automatically implies universal application. Specify whether it applies to all cases or only specific situations to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retroactively applied" functions as a modifier, typically describing a law, rule, or policy that is being implemented or enforced with effect from a date prior to its enactment. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, including legal, financial, and historical situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retroactively applied" is a phrase used to describe the application of a rule, law, or policy to past events or time periods. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is frequently seen in news, science, and legal contexts, indicating its utility in formal and technical discussions. While "retroactively applied" is prevalent, alternatives like "applied retrospectively" or "given retroactive effect" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity, ensuring that the scope and period of application are clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

applied retrospectively

Replaces "retroactively" with "retrospectively", emphasizing a looking-back perspective in the application.

given retroactive effect

Uses a more formal and legalistic term, "retroactive effect", to denote the same concept.

applied in hindsight

Highlights the application of something with the benefit of knowing what has already happened.

applied to past instances

Focuses on the application affecting previous occurrences or events.

applied after the fact

Emphasizes that the application happens subsequent to the event.

made applicable to the past

Emphasizes the act of making something relevant to a previous time.

extended to previous cases

Indicates that something is now covering situations that happened before.

backdated application

Focuses on the action of dating something to an earlier time.

applied with backward effect

Emphasizes the direction of the application, going back in time.

imposed on prior actions

Highlights the idea of something being enforced on earlier behaviors or activities.

FAQs

What does "retroactively applied" mean?

When something is "retroactively applied", it means it's being applied to situations that occurred before the rule, law, or policy was enacted or put in place. It makes the rule effective from a date in the past.

Can you give me an example of how "retroactively applied" is used in law?

Sure. If a new tax law is "retroactively applied", it might affect income earned in the previous tax year, requiring individuals or businesses to adjust their filings according to the new regulations.

What are some alternative phrases for "retroactively applied"?

You can use alternatives like "applied retrospectively", "given retroactive effect", or "applied to past instances" depending on the specific context.

Is it always legal to "retroactively apply" a law?

No, it's not always legal. Many legal systems have restrictions on the retroactive application of laws, especially criminal laws, to protect individuals from being punished for actions that were legal at the time they were committed. However, civil laws can sometimes be "retroactively applied" under certain conditions.