wrong in law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrong in law" is correct and can be used in written English, particularly in legal or academic contexts.
Example: The court found the defendant's actions to be wrong in law, as they clearly violated the terms of the contract.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

However it was wrong in law".

The Guardian

He said the damages award was "wrong in law" and would have a "chilling effect".

The Guardian - Music

Memory said he believed Fulcher had acted honestly, but was wrong in law.

The Guardian

It would be wrong in principle, wrong in law and also (as it happens) wrong in practice.

The Guardian

General Gotovina's lawyer, Greg W. Kehoe, said by telephone from The Hague, "I am absolutely shocked — it is contrary to the facts and wrong in law".

The New York Times

She asked Lord Justice Maurice Kay, Lady Justice Rafferty and Lady Justice Macur to rule the high court has gone wrong in law.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Just over 57percentt of the general American population believes that "right and wrong in U.S. law should be based on God's laws," compared to 49.3percentt of U.S.-born Muslims and 45.6 of foreign-born Muslims.

The Washington Post

Libel law has traditionally been regarded as a "tort" or civil wrong in English law, and is usually defended on the basis that the otherwise defamatory material is true, or a product of responsible journalism in the public interest.

The Guardian

About a third of each group believes that society should not be the one to determine right and wrong in U.S. law.

The Washington Post

Google is digging in for a protracted fight with the European Commission, describing allegations that it abused its dominance in the online search business as wrong in "fact, law, and economics".

The Times

79 The CCH decision recognized the limited nature of the rights of a copyright holder in its treatment of fair dealing, which recognized that, unlike other exceptions, fair dealing is an essential part of copyright protection, and therefore that fair dealing is constitutive of the idea of the wrong in copyright law.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wrong in law" when you need to clearly and concisely state that a decision, action, or interpretation is not legally sound or permissible. It's particularly useful in legal documents and academic writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "wrong in law" when you actually mean something is morally wrong but legally permissible. While something can be morally questionable, it might still align with existing laws. Make sure to differentiate between legal and ethical considerations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrong in law" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not legally valid or permissible. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to express a legal judgement, asserting the incorrectness of an action or decision under the law.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wrong in law" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote that something is not legally valid or permissible. According to Ludwig AI, its primary contexts are in news and media and academic writing. It serves to communicate legal judgments, often in a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a legal rather than a moral or ethical assessment. While there are several semantically similar phrases like "contrary to law" or "in violation of the law", "wrong in law" maintains a specific nuance suitable for precise legal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contrary to law

This alternative directly states the opposition to legal standards.

In violation of the law

Focuses on the act of breaking or disregarding the law.

Not in accordance with the law

Emphasizes the lack of alignment with legal principles.

Legally incorrect

Highlights the inaccuracy from a legal standpoint.

Unlawful

A simpler, more direct term for illegal or illegitimate.

Illegitimate under the law

Focuses on the lack of legal standing or validity.

Not permissible by law

Emphasizes the prohibition or lack of allowance by legal rules.

Against legal principles

Highlights the contradiction with foundational legal concepts.

Erroneous in legal terms

Emphasizes that the subject at hand is incorrect from the legal point of view.

A legal mistake

Highlights that the subject at hand is a mistake.

FAQs

How is "wrong in law" used in a sentence?

The phrase "wrong in law" indicates that something is not legally sound or permissible. For example, "The judge ruled that the defendant's actions were "wrong in law" because they violated the contract's terms."

What are some alternatives to "wrong in law"?

Some alternatives include "contrary to law", "in violation of the law", or "legally incorrect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "error in law" or "wrong in law"?

"Error in law" typically refers to a mistake made by a judge or legal authority in interpreting or applying the law. "Wrong in law" more broadly describes an action or decision that is not legally valid or permissible. They are similar but not always interchangeable.

How does "wrong in law" differ from "morally wrong"?

"Wrong in law" refers to something that violates legal principles or statutes. "Morally wrong" describes something that violates ethical or moral principles, regardless of its legal status. An action can be legally permissible but morally questionable, and vice versa.