sense of law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an individual's understanding or perception of legal principles and regulations. Example: "Her strong sense of law guided her decisions as a judge, ensuring justice was served fairly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"The sense of law and order collapses.

Independent

He is the sworn enemy of any and all systems and has no sense of law.

The New Yorker

But arbitrary diktat from the center -- the Maoist sense of law -- does not fit what China has become in recent years.

The New York Times

The Islamist movement defeated the last of Mogadishu's warlords in June and immediately restored a sense of law and order unheard of in the capital for 15 years.

The New York Times

He owns the mound just as his Texas ancestors, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, did before him, policing the field with a visceral sense of law and order.

The New York Times - Sports

But others raised questions about the wisdom of using Aden, a dilapidated, bustling port with only a limited sense of law and order.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

As Smart had earlier noticed, this has the implication that there can be no 'laws of nature' about biological species, at least in the traditional sense of laws true at every time and place in the universe (Smart 1959).

SEP

Accepting that "many communities of colour" had a sense of laws not being enforced "uniformly or fairly", he said he had ordered Attorney General Eric Holder to look at what steps could be taken to build trust.

BBC

On the one hand, you have to navigate between Islamic law, the traditional text, the interpretation; on the other hand, you have a sense of international law, for example, in the case of women's rights.

University of California, Berkeley

Arrogant, aggressive police tactics that cause individuals to lose their sense of the law's legitimacy, and interrupt the communities capacity to enforce norms of civility, may encourage more crime than they deter.

University of California, Berkeley

One can generalize from the study of birds, tropical forests, freshwater plankton, or the central nervous system but most of these generalizations have so limited an application that the use of the world law, in the sense of the laws of physics, is questionable.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sense of law", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to an individual's personal understanding or a broader societal perception of legal principles. For instance, "His strong "sense of law" guided his ethical choices" highlights individual understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of law" in contexts where specific legal knowledge is required. Saying someone has a "sense of law" isn't a substitute for them actually having legal expertise or formal legal training.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of law" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an individual's perception, understanding, or appreciation of legal principles. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of law" is a noun phrase used to describe an individual's understanding or perception of legal principles. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively uncommon. It is primarily used in neutral contexts like news and media. Related phrases include "legal awareness" and "respect for the law". When using the phrase, it is important to ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning, whether it's an individual's personal understanding or a broader societal perception. Avoid overgeneralization by refraining from substituting real legal knowledge with the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal awareness

Focuses on the consciousness and understanding of legal principles, rather than the intuitive feeling.

understanding of legality

Emphasizes comprehension of what is legal and permissible.

respect for the law

Highlights deference and obedience to legal statutes.

appreciation of legal principles

Stresses valuing and recognizing the importance of the foundations of law.

recognition of legal boundaries

Concentrates on acknowledging and respecting the limits imposed by law.

adherence to legal norms

Highlights compliance and conformity with established legal standards.

consciousness of legal requirements

Emphasizes the knowledge and awareness of what the law demands.

internalized legal compass

Implies an intrinsic, guiding understanding of right and wrong within a legal framework.

moral compass guided by law

Highlights the influence of legal principles on one's moral judgments.

personal code of legality

Emphasizes an individual's own set of rules and behaviors that align with legal standards.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of law" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of law" to describe someone's understanding or perception of legal principles. For example, "Her strong "sense of law" guided her decisions as a judge."

What is an alternative to "sense of law"?

Alternatives include "legal awareness", "understanding of legality", or "respect for the law" depending on the specific context.

Is "sense of law" the same as "rule of law"?

"Sense of law" refers to an individual's perception or understanding of legal principles, while "rule of law" is a broader concept referring to a system where everyone, including the government, is subject to and accountable under the law.

What does it mean to have a strong "sense of law"?

Having a strong "sense of law" implies a deep understanding and respect for legal principles, often guiding one's ethical and moral decisions. It suggests an intuitive grasp of justice and fairness within a legal framework.