ruled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a decision made by a governing body or authority, or when referring to a judgment in a legal context. Example: "The court ruled in favor of the defendant, stating that there was insufficient evidence to convict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, the world is ruled by little else.

The Economist

In January, Strasbourg judges ruled four-to-three threethe three lifers condemned to die behind bars are not having their human rights breached.

The Guardian

If Rupert Murdoch, Nigel Farage and a flip-flopping David Cameron succeed in that ambition, it will lead to the break-up of the UK with the remnants dependent on the US and our lives ruled by global corporations.

The Guardian

He said he would initiate a vote to topple the coalition that has ruled for five decades.

The Guardian

Valencia were forced to field a makeshift defence with the centre-backs Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa both injured, as well as the full-back João Pereira who was ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury during training on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

In a judgment against the Kremlin, a tribunal in the Hague ruled that the Russian state had sought to bankrupt Yukos, appropriate its assets and prevent its owner, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, from entering politics.

The Guardian - Business

The high court ruled last Friday that Prince Nasser could be named.

The Guardian

Buhari, who was the petroleum affairs minister in the 1970s, ousted the elected president Shehu Shagari on New Year's Eve in 1983 and ruled a military government until 27 August 1985.

The Guardian

Jarvis was seen as a very promising potential leadership candidate, but has ruled himself out of the contest, saying that it was not the right time for his family.

The Guardian

Although Arsenal's manager ruled out joining the race for Paul Pogba, on the grounds that the Juventus midfielder would be too expensive, he said that signing Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez in the past two summers proves that he is not averse to spending money.

The Guardian - Sport

Commenting on the JCHR report, the director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said: "More than 10 years ago, the ECHR first ruled that the UK's blanket and indiscriminate ban on sentenced prisoners' voting was unlawful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ruled" to describe a legal decision, ensure that the context clearly indicates the entity making the ruling (e.g., "The court ruled...").

Common error

Avoid using "ruled" in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "decided" or "agreed" would be more appropriate. "Ruled" often implies a formal or authoritative context.

Linguistic Context

Ruled functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb "rule", indicating completed actions of governing, controlling, or making a formal decision. As Ludwig AI suggests, this can encompass legal rulings or general dominance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ruled", as per Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct and very common in written English. It mainly signifies actions of governing, controlling, or making authoritative decisions, particularly in legal or historical contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for factual reporting and formal discussions. When aiming for precision and formality, "ruled" effectively conveys authority and decisiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

governed

Implies a system or structure of authority and administration.

controlled

Emphasizes the act of maintaining power or influence over something or someone.

reigned

Specifically refers to the period of time a monarch or similar figure holds power.

decided

Focuses on the act of making a judgment or reaching a conclusion.

determined

Implies a firm and conclusive decision-making process.

presided

Suggests a formal role in leading or overseeing a meeting, event, or organization.

adjudicated

Specifically refers to the formal process of making a judgment in a legal or official context.

dominated

Indicates a position of power and influence, often through force or control.

decreed

Suggests an official order or proclamation, often with legal force.

officiated

Relates to formally conducting a ceremony or event.

FAQs

How is "ruled" used in a sentence?

The word "ruled" typically indicates governance, control, or a formal decision. For example, "The queen ruled the kingdom" or "The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff".

What are some alternatives to the word "ruled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "governed", "reigned", "decided", or "controlled".

When is it appropriate to use "ruled" instead of "decided"?

"Ruled" implies a formal, authoritative decision, often by a governing body or legal entity. "Decided" is more general and can refer to any decision-making process.

What is the difference between "ruled out" and "ruled"?

"Ruled" means to govern or make an official decision. "Ruled out" means to exclude or eliminate something as a possibility, for example, "The candidate "ruled out" raising taxes".