rules in force

USAGE SUMMARY

"rules in force" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a set of regulations that one must abide by. For example, "The rules in force at the court must be followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The rules in force at the plant made criticality impossible, they insisted.

The Economist

Cameron is expected to raise the issue during meetings with European leaders, and wants new rules in force by this summer.

The Guardian

At reactors, conversion to low-enriched uranium offers no benefits to the researchers or operators, except perhaps to simplify the security rules in force here.

The New York Times

580, 594 (1971) ("fixed procedural definition of the confrontation clause makes the actual protection afforded depend upon the particular evidence rules in force in each state"); Younger, Confrontation and Hearsay: A Look Backward, A Peek Forward, 1 Hofstra L.Rev.

Cornell University

The foreign reader is likely to come across treatments of rules or sets of rules which are identical, in part or in full, with the rules in force in his/her own country.

Stanford University

See articleIn this section Politics this week Business this week KAL's cartoon ReprintsA federal appeals court threw out rules in force since 2010 on "net neutrality", a policy under which broadband providers must treat all internet traffic as equal.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

An adequate answer to this question would seem to require some account of what it is for a rule to be "in force".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just as it would be wrong to rule out force before seeing the evidence, it is wrong to rule in force without seeing the evidence, he says.

The Guardian

With the broadened gag rule in force, fewer infants will be born safely, and common medications will become harder to find.

The New Yorker

As Mahoi visited one afternoon, Amidu waved shyly as Hawa bounded up, forcing her step-grandmother to shout out a reminder about the "no touching" rule in force in the town.

The Guardian

This led to the abolition of the all-Caucasian rule, in force since the American PGA's foundation in 1916, and opened the way for black golfers such as Tiger Woods.Mr Reed received many honours, including, in 2000, the Living Treasure in American Dance Award.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or formal contexts, use "rules in force" to clearly indicate the specific set of regulations that are currently applicable and must be followed.

Common error

Avoid using "rules in force" when referring to outdated or historical regulations. Always ensure you are discussing the rules that are currently active and legally binding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rules in force" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifying the state of particular rules as being currently active or operational. Ludwig indicates that the expression is appropriate and well-understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rules in force" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that specifies regulations are currently active and binding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is appropriate for use. It's commonly found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to regulations that are currently applicable, avoiding confusion with outdated or historical rules. Alternatives such as "current regulations" or "existing laws" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember, while "rules in force" indicates active regulations, "rules in place" simply suggests that rules exist, not necessarily that they are actively enforced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current regulations

Focuses specifically on the regulations that are presently active.

existing laws

Highlights the legal statutes that are currently in effect.

prevailing rules

Emphasizes the rules that are dominant or most common at the present time.

applicable regulations

Indicates the regulations that are relevant and can be applied in a given situation.

operative guidelines

Stresses the guidelines that are functional and guiding actions.

effective policies

Highlights policies that are producing the intended result or effect.

governing standards

Focuses on the standards that control or direct something.

enforceable statutes

Implies laws that can be legally compelled to be observed.

active protocols

Refers to established sets of rules that are currently being implemented.

binding regulations

Emphasizes regulations that legally obligate or constrain.

FAQs

How can I use "rules in force" in a sentence?

You can use "rules in force" to describe regulations that are currently active, like in the sentence, "The company must comply with the "rules in force" as of January 1, 2025."

What's a good alternative to "rules in force"?

Alternatives include "current regulations", "existing laws", or "prevailing rules", depending on the specific context.

Is "rules in force" formal or informal?

"Rules in force" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for legal, business, and academic contexts.

What is the difference between "rules in force" and "rules in place"?

"Rules in force" specifically refers to regulations that are currently active and legally binding, while "rules in place" /s/rules+in+place simply means that rules exist, without necessarily implying that they are currently being actively enforced.