Cool MateLegislation vs Statute
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Legislation
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1noun
Statute
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Legislation
| Legislation | Statute | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈstætjuːt//🇺🇸 //ˈstætʃuːt// |
| Meaning | A set of laws or rules made by a government. | A law made by a government. |
| Example | The government introduced new legislation to combat climate change. | The new statute aims to reduce pollution in urban areas. |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | federal, national, parliamentary, piece, need, require, call for, come into effect, come into force, allow something, under legislation, legislation against, legislation on, federal, national, parliamentary, piece, need, require, call for, come into effect, come into force, allow something, under legislation, legislation against, legislation on | pass a statute, amend a statute, statute law, enact a statute, statute of limitations |
| Antonyms | anarchy, chaos, lawlessness | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'legislature' which refers to the body that makes laws., Using 'legislation' as a countable noun (it is uncountable)., Confusing 'legislation' with general rules or policies. | Confused with 'statue' - a figure made of stone or metal., Using 'statute' when referring to common laws or regulations instead of written laws., Mispronouncing the word, confusing it with 'statue'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in legal contexts and formal discussions. Avoid using in casual conversations. Often associated with political processes. | Used primarily in legal contexts. Less common in everyday conversation. Appropriate in academic writing and official documentation. |
Frequently asked questions: Legislation vs Statute
What's the difference between Legislation and Statute?
Legislation: A set of laws or rules made by a government. Statute: A law made by a government.
Which is more common: Legislation and Statute?
Legislation is the most common in everyday English.
Can I use Legislation and Statute interchangeably?
Not always. Legislation and Statute 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.