warrants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "warrants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing justification or reasons for a particular action or belief. Example: "The evidence presented in court warrants a thorough investigation into the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.07am ET16 07 Obama quotes Fitch as saying that repeated "brinksmanship" in Washington warrants a review of the US credit worthiness.

The Guardian

The AFP said in its own submission that regimes for delayed notification search warrants or covert searches were "in place in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, WA and the Northern Territory, as well as Canada, the UK and the United States of America".

The Guardian

At least Sutherland warrants his salary because it goes towards treating the RSI he's developed in his face from pulling that grimly resolute expression so often.

The Guardian

These are just some of the gaps that have been revealed in the inquest so far: vital information about Anderson's mental health and criminal charges weren't always conveyed to Batty by police and child protection, and warrants for his arrest weren't executed for days after they were issued.

The Guardian - Opinion

That was the law which George Bush, in late 2001, violated, when he secretly authorized eavesdropping on the international calls of Americans without any warrants from that court.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although it refuses to say how many Americans have their communications intercepted without warrants, there can be no question that the NSA does this.

The Guardian - Opinion

LRA leader Joseph Kony has said he will not sign a peace agreement until arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court are withdrawn.

The Guardian

It alleged too little time elapsed on 1 May between the filing to court of an application for criminal charges and warrants being issued for their arrests.

The Guardian

Attorney general George Brandis, who approved warrants for searches of the former officer's home and Collaery's office, rejected suggestions that he was trying to interfere in the international arbitration of the case, in which procedural hearings will start on Friday in The Hague.

The Guardian

It is unlikely that a proper investigation into the allegations and a recommendation on whether warrants should be issued for the officers' arrests could have been completed "within that 13-minute time frame", the motion said.

The Guardian

There are warrants of arrest and a lot of follow-ups.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial contexts, clarify the type of "warrants" you are discussing (e.g., stock warrants, GDP warrants) to avoid ambiguity, as they grant the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase company stock at a predetermined price and date.

Common error

Avoid using "warrants" informally to mean 'deserves' or 'merits' in everyday conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or legalistic. Opt for simpler words like 'justifies' or 'calls for' to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The term "warrants" primarily functions as a noun, often referring to legal authorizations. As highlighted by Ludwig, it also functions as a verb, meaning to justify or necessitate something. This dual nature is reflected in its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Economics

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "warrants" is frequently used in legal, financial, and general contexts, functioning both as a noun (referring to authorizations) and a verb (meaning to justify or necessitate). According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, predominantly used in news and formal business domains. When writing, it's essential to use "warrants" accurately, especially in legal contexts, and to consider its formality to ensure it fits the overall tone. While alternatives like "authorizes" and "justifies" exist, "warrants" provides a specific nuance, particularly in official and financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorizes

Indicates giving official permission or approval, similar to what a warrant does but in verb form.

justifies

Implies providing reasons or evidence to support an action or decision, relating to the concept of justification within warrants.

calls for

Suggests that something necessitates or deserves a particular action or response, fitting the meaning of warrants needing a certain response.

permits

Indicates allowing something to happen, which aligns with the authorization aspect of warrants.

sanctions

Implies official permission or approval, often in a legal context, related to legal warrants.

necessitates

Indicates that something makes a particular action necessary, connecting to the idea of warrants requiring action.

legitimizes

Implies making something valid or justifiable, related to the legal validity of warrants.

entitles

Suggests giving someone the right to do something, linking to the right granted by a warrant.

certifies

Indicates officially confirming or guaranteeing something, similar to the guarantee aspect of some warrants.

licenses

Means giving official permission to do something, akin to the permission given by a warrant.

FAQs

How are "warrants" typically used in legal contexts?

"Warrants" in law refer to official documents issued by a judge or magistrate that authorize law enforcement to perform certain actions, such as making an arrest or conducting a search. These documents ensure due process and protect individual rights.

What are some alternatives to using the word "warrants"?

Depending on the context, you could use "justifies", "calls for", or "authorizes" as alternatives to "warrants". The best choice will depend on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

How do stock "warrants" differ from regular stocks?

Stock "warrants" give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a company's stock at a specific price within a certain timeframe. Unlike regular stocks, "warrants" have an expiration date and are often issued by the company itself.

What is the difference between "warrants" and "arrests"?

"Warrants" are legal documents authorizing an action, such as an "arrests" or a search. An "arrests" is the act of taking someone into custody, which may or may not be based on a "warrants".