Law vs Legislation
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Law | Legislation | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Rules made by a government to keep order. | A set of laws or rules made by a government. |
| Register | formal | formal |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Usage notes | Use 'law' in formal contexts when discussing legal matters. Avoid in casual conversations unless relevant to the topic. | Commonly used in legal contexts and formal discussions. Avoid using in casual conversations. Often associated with political processes. |
Frequently asked questions: Law vs Legislation
What's the difference between "Law" and "Legislation"?
"Law" means: Rules made by a government to keep order. "Legislation" means: A set of laws or rules made by a government.
When should I use "Law" and "Legislation"?
"Law" is formal; "Legislation" is formal.
Are "Law" and "Legislation" the same CEFR level?
"Law" is at A2, "Legislation" is at C1 on the CEFR scale.