violate a law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "violate a law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any act that breaks or goes against a law. For example, "The suspect was arrested for violating a federal law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Did we violate a law?

The New York Times

Some even suggested it could violate a law against eavesdropping.

The New York Times

Did they violate a law getting his kids into school?

The New York Times

Harsh penalties – including imprisonment – await individuals who violate a law enacted in April.

The Guardian

"A military recruiter's mere presence on campus does not violate a law school's right to associate, regardless of how repugnant the law school considers the recruiter's message," Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote in the opinion.

The New York Times

According to a New York Times analysis of enforcement cases, nearly all of the biggest Wall Street firms have settled fraud cases by promising never to violate a law that they had already promised not to break, usually multiple times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I have never violated a law or disobeyed any authority".

The New York Times

Le Monde last year accused the government of violating a law protecting journalists during its investigation of the Bettencourt case.

The New York Times

And every citizen, according to the constitution, if this person violates a law, has to come before the law.

The New York Times

His critics say those decisions have violated a law that is supposed to make the corporation a political buffer.

The New York Times

Late last year, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association challenged that provision in federal court, arguing that it violates a law governing employer health benefits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic contexts, "violate a law" is a precise way to report legal infringements without implying intent or judgment, allowing the facts to speak for themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "violate a law" when you mean to describe a moral or ethical breach, unless it specifically also breaks a law. For instance, while you might "violate someone's trust", you "violate a law".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "violate a law" functions as a verb phrase, where "violate" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object (in this case, "a law"). It specifies the action of breaking or contravening a legal statute. Examples from Ludwig confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "violate a law" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, which clearly conveys the act of breaking a law. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts, particularly in legal, news, and academic writing. While synonyms like "break a law" exist, "violate a law" maintains a level of precision and is preferred in professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a breach of legal statute, not just a moral or ethical code.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break a law

Replaces "violate" with "break", a more common and simpler synonym.

breach a law

Replaces "violate" with "breach", suggesting a breaking or failing to observe a legal obligation.

infringe a law

Uses "infringe", suggesting a more technical or formal breach.

contravene a law

Employs "contravene", indicating a direct contradiction or opposition to the law.

act in contravention of a law

A more formal way to say someone's actions directly oppose a law.

transgress a law

Replaces "violate" with "transgress", suggesting a more serious or moral violation.

defy a law

Uses "defy", indicating an open and intentional resistance to the law.

disobey a law

Replaces "violate" with "disobey", emphasizing the failure to follow a legal command.

flout a law

Uses "flout", meaning to openly disregard the law with disdain.

run afoul of the law

Indicates coming into conflict with the law, often unintentionally.

FAQs

What is the difference between "break a law" and "violate a law"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable. "Break a law" is more common in everyday conversation, whereas "violate a law" is often preferred in formal or legal contexts. The semantic difference is negligible.

How do you use "violate a law" in a sentence?

The phrase "violate a law" is used to indicate that someone has broken or acted against a law. For example, "The company was found to have violated several environmental protection laws."

What are some synonyms for "violate a law"?

Some synonyms for "violate a law" include "infringe a law", "contravene a law", and "transgress a law". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "violate a law" a formal or informal expression?

"Violate a law" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in legal, journalistic, and academic writing due to its precision and clarity.