Cool MateLegal vs Not breaking any laws
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Legal
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Not breaking any laws
Top 3,000 (common)
Most formal: LegalMost common: Legal
| Legal | Not breaking any laws | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈliːɡl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈliːɡl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈbreɪkɪŋ ˈɛni lɔːz//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈbreɪkɪŋ ˈɛni lɔz// |
| Meaning | Related to the law or rules. | Following the rules and not doing anything illegal. |
| Example | It is important to understand your legal rights before signing any contract. | I ensured that my business is not breaking any laws after the audit. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, make something, completely, perfectly | law enforcement, legal advice, follow the law, legal obligations, lawful behavior |
| Antonyms | illegal, unlawful, illicit | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'legitimate' when discussing valid standards., Used in non-legal contexts, such as casual conversations. | Confused with 'not violating any rules' - it's more specific to laws., Using it in a sarcastic tone can mislead the meaning., Omitting 'any laws' can change the intended meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'legal' when discussing laws, rights, or anything connected to the law. Avoid using it in informal contexts where everyday topics are discussed. | Use this phrase to express compliance with legal standards. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Legal vs Not breaking any laws
What's the difference between Legal and Not breaking any laws?
Legal: Related to the law or rules. Not breaking any laws: Following the rules and not doing anything illegal.
Which is more formal: Legal and Not breaking any laws?
Legal is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Legal and Not breaking any laws?
Legal is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Legal: It is important to understand your legal rights before signing any contract. Not breaking any laws: I ensured that my business is not breaking any laws after the audit.
Can I use Legal and Not breaking any laws interchangeably?
Not always. Legal and Not breaking any laws are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.