within the bounds of the law

USAGE SUMMARY

"within the bounds of the law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to actions that must be legally acceptable. For example, "We must act within the bounds of the law when making business decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

within the bounds of the law.

Cornell University

" 'Within the bounds of the law' -- what does that mean?" Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times

Some of these practices are illegal; others are within the bounds of the law.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, they should do so peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

The New York Times

"Within the bounds of the law, I want to find out what our recourse is".

The New York Times

Scarcely any effective movement in pursuit of this progress has remained within the bounds of the law.

The Guardian

"Mr. Percoco performed services honestly and within the bounds of the law at all times," Mr. Bohrer said.

The New York Times

Percoco performed services honestly and within the bounds of the law at all times," Mr. Bohrer said.

The New York Times

The spokesman added: "We are very disappointed with this outcome, but do believe the original investigation was conducted within the bounds of the law and the industry's code.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Experts in campaign finance issues said the fund-raising tactic was unusual for a presidential candidate but within the bounds of the campaign law as long as Mr. Edwards did not personally benefit.

The New York Times

With a few exceptions, shareholders are entitled to act entirely in their own interest within the bounds of the securities laws.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions or policies, use "within the bounds of the law" to clearly communicate adherence to legal standards and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Remember that "within the bounds of the law" only means legally permissible. Actions can be legal but still unethical; ensure ethical considerations are also addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within the bounds of the law" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to specify that an action or state is compliant with legal requirements. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates adherence to legal standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within the bounds of the law" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that actions or behaviors comply with legal requirements. As indicated by Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in academic and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, remember that legality does not always equate to ethical behavior. While alternatives such as "legally permissible" or "lawful" exist, "within the bounds of the law" offers a specific emphasis on adherence to legal boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lawful

A more concise adjective emphasizing compliance with the law.

legally permissible

Focuses on what the law allows, highlighting permission rather than limitation.

within legal limits

Emphasizes the restrictions imposed by the law.

consistent with the law

Indicates that actions do not violate any legal statutes or regulations.

in accordance with the law

Formal and emphasizes following specific legal requirements.

authorized by law

Emphasizes that the law specifically grants permission for an action.

legally compliant

Highlights adherence to legal standards, especially in a business context.

sanctioned by law

Highlights legal approval or authorization.

subject to the law

Focuses on actions being under the jurisdiction and constraints of the legal system.

under the color of law

Specifically refers to actions that appear legal but may be abuses of power.

FAQs

How can I use "within the bounds of the law" in a sentence?

You can use "within the bounds of the law" to describe actions or decisions that comply with legal requirements. For example, "The company operated "within the bounds of the law" while pursuing its business objectives."

What are some alternatives to "within the bounds of the law"?

Some alternatives include "legally permissible", "lawful", and "in accordance with the law", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "inside the bounds of the law" instead of "within the bounds of the law"?

While "inside" might seem similar, "within" is the more standard and grammatically correct preposition to use with "bounds" in this context. Using "within" emphasizes the limitation or boundary set by the law.

What's the difference between "within the bounds of the law" and "ethical"?

"Within the bounds of the law" means that an action is legal, while "ethical" refers to whether an action aligns with moral principles. Something can be legal but unethical, or vice versa. Therefore, it's crucial to consider both legal and ethical implications.