What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
legislate
Example
The government is planning to legislate new regulations on environmental protection. [legislate: verb]
Example
The parliament is responsible for legislating on behalf of the people. [legislating: gerund or present participle]
enact
Example
The president signed the bill into law, enacting it immediately. [enact: verb]
Example
The company's new policy will be enacted starting next month. [enacted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enact is more commonly used than legislate in everyday language. Enact is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while legislate is more specific and technical.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between legislate and enact?
Legislate is a more formal word that is typically used in legal and political contexts, while enact can be used in both formal and informal contexts.