Difference between rule and law

Question

Hi. Is there a big difference between rule and law? I checked the dictionary, and it seems that law is "a system of rules", while rules means "an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do". When I say "everybody in America respects rules", I think it is weird. sounds rather informal. I think "Everybody in America respects law" is better. Do you agree with me?

Free_spirit · Accepted Answer

As a general concept, laws are often more formal or established by a group that is in control. For example, the legal system of a society is a set of laws dictating what behaviour is permitted. They are also "rules", however there are generally punishments for breaking a law (e.g. stealing or murder may have you locked up in prison, or executed).

Science also speaks of "laws", such as the "law of gravity." In this context it is something that cannot generally be broken. These are established and accepted by the scientific community.

Rules may be more specific and not necessarily generally accepted. Families have "rules" (which are not usually referred to as laws) regarding behaviour, the time children must go to bed, whether or not they can have friends in their bedroom, etc. These rules may have punishments also if they are broken. However, one family may have rules that the family next door does not have or accept.

Rules can also be guidelines, or a "rule of thumb" (meaning it is a good idea, and often works, but is not always the case). For example, in English spelling there is a "rule of thumb" that "i comes before e, except after c" - but there are exceptions. See the Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_before_E_except_after_C

There are many rules of English grammar, however some are not accepted by all 'authorities'. For example, see the Wikipedia entry for the "serial comma" (Oxford comma) where there are two opposing views for this usage of the comma:

Another common grammar rule is: "don't start a sentence with a conjunction such as 'and' or 'but'." But, this is a rule that is easily broken and is often common usage. And it doesn't really change the meaning of a sentence, so it can be argued it is a matter of style, not a rule than must always be obeyed.

>When I say "everybody in America respects rules", I think it is weird. sounds rather informal.
>I think "Everybody in America respects law" is better

I agree. Law often has a particular sense with it. Police enforce the laws of the country. A colloquial expression to refer to the police is "the long arm of the law". It would not sound right to call them "the long arm of the rules"! Law sounds more specific, and related to a legal system. I think in general usage, a law is far more specific and a rule is more general. The two words are synonyms, depending on the context.

Difference between rule and law

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