to come into force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to come into force" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate when a law, regulation, or agreement becomes effective. Example: "The new regulations will come into force on January 1st, 2024."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

United States rules, meanwhile, are ready to come into force.

The New York Times

The clause is expected to come into force in May.

The Guardian

It is expected to come into force in April.

The Guardian

It is due to come into force within 10 days.

The Guardian

(The agreement is to come into force when six of those countries have ratified it).

The New York Times

To come into force it needs a vote by both houses of Parliament.

The Economist

Next season, new financial fair play rules are due to come into force.

The Economist

They are due to come into force by the summer of 2014.

Independent

This law is due to come into force across the European Union in 2012.

The Economist

The measure was supposed to come into force on March 17th.

The Economist

A sharply tighter ETS regime is likely to come into force.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or regulatory matters, use "to come into force" to clearly indicate the specific date or event when a new rule or law becomes operational.

Common error

Avoid using "to come into force" interchangeably with phrases like "to take effect" in contexts where the emphasis should be on the result rather than the formal activation of a rule or law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to come into force" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the point at which a law, rule, or agreement becomes effective or operational. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to come into force" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate when a law, rule, or agreement becomes effective. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various reliable sources, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents. It is particularly useful in legal and regulatory contexts, specifying the exact date or event when a new rule becomes operational. While alternatives like ""to take effect"" and "to become effective" exist, "to come into force" carries a more formal and official tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take effect

Focuses on the result of something becoming active or operational.

to become effective

Highlights the transition to a state of being operative.

to go into effect

Emphasizes the process of something starting to operate.

to be implemented

Stresses the action of putting a plan or system into operation.

to be enacted

Specifically refers to the passing or establishment of a law or decree.

to be enforced

Highlights the act of compelling observance of a law or rule.

to be activated

Focuses on the initiation or triggering of something into action.

to begin operating

Emphasizes the start of a functional process or system.

to be in effect

Describes the state of being operational or valid.

to be operative

Indicates that something is currently functioning or exerting force.

FAQs

What does "to come into force" mean?

The phrase "to come into force" means to become effective or operational, typically referring to a law, rule, or agreement. It indicates the point in time when something officially starts to have an effect.

How to use "to come into force" in a sentence?

Use "to come into force" to specify when a new regulation or law will be implemented. For example, "The new regulations are expected "to take effect" on January 1, 2026".

What can I say instead of "to come into force"?

You can use alternatives like ""to take effect"", "to become effective", or "to go into effect" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to come into force" and "to take effect"?

While similar, "to come into force" often implies a more formal or legalistic activation, whereas ""to take effect"" can be used more broadly to describe something becoming operative or impactful.