rights

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rights" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you're discussing a person's entitlements or privileges, such as the right to vote or the right to free speech. For example, "All citizens have a right to an education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education".

The Guardian

"He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights".

The Guardian

"Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities," he said at the time.

The Guardian

Over the past decade, Kazakhs have experienced a steady reduction in individual rights.

The Guardian

The EU executive in Brussels said on Wednesday that moves to reinstate the death penalty could incur curbs on Hungary's EU rights and entitlements.

The Guardian

City authorities are conducting a criminal inquiry and the US department of justice is looking into potential civil rights charges.

The Guardian

There are people who believe that abortion rights are in the law, and they're not.

The Guardian

The relationship made it uncomfortable for the US and EU to speak out about human rights abuses in Uzbekistan.

The Guardian

Human rights organisations have raised fears that more migrants and refugees will die in their attempt to reach Europe from the north African coast.

The Guardian

"To hold it in a context where some basic fundamental rights are markedly absent, indeed, denied to the population, is to commit a travesty".

The New York Times

The public health community has an important role to play in demonstrating the magnitude of tobacco's threat to public health and calling on governments to strip away the trademark protections, rights to sue and opportunities to lobby that big tobacco uses to bully public representatives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rights" in conjunction with verbs like "protect", "defend", "exercise", and "violate" to create strong and clear statements about actions related to rights.

Common error

The term "rights" (plural) refers to entitlements or privileges, while "right" (singular) can refer to moral correctness or a specific entitlement. Ensure you use the correct form based on whether you are discussing multiple entitlements or a singular concept.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rights" is as a plural noun, representing entitlements, privileges, or protections afforded to individuals or groups. It often acts as the object of verbs like "protect", "violate", or "exercise", as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rights" functions as a plural noun denoting entitlements and protections. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. When using the term, clarity about the specific type of "rights" is crucial. Related phrases like "legal entitlements" and "civil liberties" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts with nuanced meanings. Remember to avoid confusing "rights" with the singular form "right". Because it is such a common concept in society, it is important to ensure that it is always presented in the proper context and correctly written.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human rights

Emphasizes the universal and inalienable rights inherent to all human beings.

constitutional rights

Highlights rights specifically protected under a country's constitution.

legal entitlements

Focuses specifically on rights that are legally recognized and enforceable.

civil liberties

Refers to fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals as protection against the state.

individual freedoms

Stresses the aspect of personal liberty and autonomy.

protected freedoms

Emphasizes the secured and defended aspect of certain liberties.

due entitlements

Emphasizes what is owed or deserved by an individual or group.

moral prerogatives

Highlights rights based on ethical or moral principles.

just claims

Focuses on the legitimacy and validity of demands or entitlements.

personal allowances

Refers to permissions or freedoms granted to individuals in a specific context.

FAQs

How is "rights" used in a sentence?

The word "rights" is used to refer to legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. For example, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought" or "These laws protect the rights of consumers".

What's the difference between "rights" and "privileges"?

"Rights" are inherent entitlements that all individuals possess, while "privileges" are special advantages granted to some but not all. Rights are considered fundamental and inalienable, whereas privileges can be revoked.

What are some common types of "rights"?

Common types of "rights" include "human rights", "civil rights", "legal rights", and "constitutional rights". Each category pertains to different areas of entitlement and protection.

What's the relationship between "rights" and "responsibilities"?

While "rights" ensure freedoms and entitlements, responsibilities involve obligations and duties. Many believe that for a society to function effectively, the exercise of rights must be balanced with a sense of responsibility towards others.