was legally incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was legally incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a legal matter or decision that does not conform to the law or legal standards. Example: "The court ruled that the previous judgment was legally incorrect, leading to a retrial of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Norman Siegel, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the mayor was "legally incorrect in his analysis".

The New York Times

The American Medical Association charged today that a Justice Department decision permitting certain types of job discrimination against people with AIDS was legally incorrect and unjustified.

The New York Times

The Court did refer to Anisminic but only to observe that the House of Lords had held the ouster clause involved in that case to be irrelevant because a purported determination by the Foreign Compensation Commission which was legally incorrect could not be considered a real determination and had no effect at all.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the assemblywoman's opinion is legally incorrect and fails to understand the manner in which the term demolition has consistently been applied to regulated housing by the administrative agencies and courts.

The New York Times

After beginning with the importance of obeying the Koran, he complained that the jury in his trial was biased, that the instructions to them were legally incorrect and that his lawyers should have let him testify.

The New York Times

So the headline of Ms. Robinson's column is legally incorrect and intended, I think, to stir up her base rather than to make an argument that could sway the Supreme Court (for more on this point, see the rebuttal published in Fortune "Why the Authors Guild is Still Wrong about Google's Book Scanning").

Duke University

And there is no right to appeal even though the arbitrator's decision may be legally incorrect.

HuffPost

The High Court ruled that legislation was "legally irrelevant," but the government says this was incorrect and that the legislation implied the use of the royal prerogative.

Vice

A police officer that chooses personal safety over the life of a manic person is not legally incorrect in using deadly force if that manic person presents a legitimate threat.

Huffington Post

"In the past Mr. Edelman has made statements about WhenU that drew incorrect conclusions about WhenU and were legally inappropriate," says Naider.

Forbes

"To rigidly separate local government from federal government when we think about immigration enforcement is not only legally incorrect, it's also bad policy," Mr. Kobach said in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was legally incorrect", ensure you can provide specific legal references or arguments to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "was legally incorrect" as a general expression of disagreement. Always ground your assessment in specific legal principles or precedents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was legally incorrect" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject (decision, analysis, etc.) as not conforming to legal standards. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was legally incorrect" is used to express that something does not conform to legal standards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates that it is suitable for use in written English. While not overly frequent, it appears in contexts such as news, wiki articles and academic writing. When using this phrase, be ready to back it up with the relevant laws, regulations, and rulings to ensure credibility. Similar phrases include "was not legally valid", "was legally flawed", and "violated the law".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not legally valid

This alternative focuses on the lack of legal validity.

was legally flawed

This alternative emphasizes the presence of legal defects.

was contrary to law

This alternative highlights the contradiction with existing laws.

was not in accordance with the law

This alternative stresses the non-compliance with legal requirements.

was legally unsustainable

This alternative suggests that the position could not be maintained in a legal context.

was legally untenable

Similar to 'unsustainable', this highlights the indefensibility of a legal position.

was legally unsound

This focuses on the lack of a solid legal basis.

violated the law

This alternative uses a more direct and active voice, highlighting the act of breaking the law.

was an error of law

This alternative directly states that a legal error has been made.

represented a misinterpretation of the law

This alternative emphasizes an incorrect understanding of the legal principles.

FAQs

How can I use "was legally incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "was legally incorrect" to describe a decision, opinion, or action that does not align with established legal principles. For example: "The judge determined that the initial ruling "was legally incorrect" and overturned it."

What are some alternatives to saying "was legally incorrect"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was not legally valid", "was legally flawed", or "violated the law", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "was legally incorrect" or "was illegal"?

The choice between "was legally incorrect" and "was illegal" depends on the context. "Was illegal" typically refers to a direct violation of a specific law. "Was legally incorrect" suggests a broader issue of flawed legal reasoning or interpretation that may not necessarily constitute an outright illegal act.

Can opinions or analyses be "legally incorrect"?

Yes, legal opinions or analyses can be "legally incorrect" if they misinterpret the law, misapply legal principles, or reach conclusions unsupported by legal precedent. For example, "The expert's legal analysis "was legally incorrect", leading the court to disregard their testimony."