Inglês

rule

gb/ɹˈul/ us/ɹˈul/
A2 Inglês
~ 2200
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome A2 entity
1

Official instruction or law

A statement that says what you must or must not do.

Padrão de uso: a rule about [something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rule' with 'law'; laws are made by governments, while rules can be made by any group or organization.
Sinónimos
regulation (More formal and often used for official or legal contexts.)
Antónimos
freedom (The absence of restrictions or limitations.)
Colocações
follow the rules |break a rule |set a rule |strict rules
Temas
law |daily life |education |politics
Exemplos
  • The school has a rule against using phones in class.
  • New safety rules were introduced after the accident.
  • You must follow the rules if you want to play the game.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • There is a rule about wearing shoes in the gym.
  • We have a new rule at home.
  • Please follow the rules in the library.
Verbo B1 action
2

Govern or control people/places

To control a place or people as a leader.

Padrão de uso: to rule [a place]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this with 'control'; 'rule' implies formal authority over others, often in politics or leadership.
Sinónimos
govern (More formal; often used for political administration.)
Antónimos
serve (To act under someone else's authority rather than controlling them.)
Colocações
rule a country |rule with an iron fist |rule over
Temas
politics |history
Exemplos
  • The king ruled the land for fifty years.
  • They ruled the city until they were overthrown.
  • She ruled the empire wisely and fairly.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • The queen rules the country.
  • He ruled the small island for many years.
  • They rule the city together.
Nome B2 entity
3

General principle or guideline

A fact or idea that is usually true in most situations.

Sinónimos
principle (A broader term for a basic truth or idea guiding behavior or thought.)
Antónimos
exception (Something that does not follow the usual pattern or principle.)
Colocações
the rules of physics |as a general rule
Temas
science |logic |education
Exemplos
  • As a general rule, you should back up your data regularly.
  • The rules of grammar help us write correctly.
  • There are exceptions to every rule.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • As a rule, I drink tea in the morning.
  • The rules of math are important.
  • There are rules for writing English sentences.
Verbo B2 action
4

Make an official legal decision

To make an official decision about something important, often in court.

Padrão de uso: to rule that [clause]
Sinónimos
decide (More general; not necessarily in a legal context.)
Antónimos
overturn (To reverse an earlier decision.)
Colocações
rule in favor of |rule against |rule on a case
Temas
law
Exemplos
  • The judge ruled in favor of the defendant.
  • The court ruled that the law was unconstitutional.
  • They ruled against the proposal after much debate.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • The judge ruled that he was not guilty.
  • The court ruled against him.
  • The school ruled that hats are not allowed.
Nome technical B1 entity
5

Straight-edged measuring tool

A flat tool with numbers used to measure length or draw straight lines.

Sinónimos
ruler (Commonly used term for this object; 'rule' is less frequent in everyday speech.)
Colocações
wooden rule |steel rule
Temas
tools |education |daily_life
Exemplos
  • He measured the paper with a steel rule.
  • Use a rule to draw the diagram accurately.
  • The carpenter kept his rule in his pocket.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • I use a rule to draw lines.
  • The rule is 30 centimeters long.
  • She measured it with a rule.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
rule
IPA
GB/ɹˈul/
US/ɹˈul/
Sílabas e acento
rule (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (rule)
Formas da palavra
Noun
  • Base: rule
  • Plural: rule, rules
Verb
  • Base: rule
  • 3rd Person Singular: rules
  • Present Participle: ruling
  • Past: ruled
Família de palavras
Forms
rules noun ruling verb ruled verb
Core family
ruler noun A1
Related words
regulate verb B2 regulation noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unruly adjective
Advanced or less common
overrule verb regulatory adjective B2
Expressões

as a rule

1
/ˈæz ə ɹˈul/
fixed phrase

Generally true in most cases

Usually; in most situations.

Exemplos
  • As a rule, we don’t eat after 9 p.m.
  • As a rule, children love playing outside.

lay down the law/rules

1
/lˈeɪ dˈaʊn ðə lˈɔɚˈulz/
idiom informal

State rules firmly to others

To tell people clearly and strongly what they must do.

Exemplos
  • The teacher laid down the rules on the first day of class.
  • He laid down the law about no smoking inside.

rule out

1
/ɹˈul ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb

Exclude something as an option

To decide that something is not possible or will not happen.

Exemplos
  • The police have ruled out robbery as a motive.
  • We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.

rule the roost

1
/ɹˈul ðə ɹˈust/
idiom informal

Be in charge of everything

To be the person who makes all the decisions in a group or place.

Exemplos
  • She really rules the roost at home.
  • In this office, it's clear who rules the roost.

rule of thumb

1
/ɹˈul əv θˈʌm/
idiom

general practical guideline

A simple general rule that people use in normal life, not a strict or exact rule.

Exemplos
  • As a rule of thumb, you should save at least ten percent of your income.
  • A good rule of thumb is to add one extra minute of cooking time for every hundred watts less power.

rule of thumb

2
/ɹˈul əv θˈʌm/
idiom

Practical general guideline

A simple way to judge or decide something based on experience, not exact facts.

Exemplos
  • As a rule of thumb, add two minutes for each extra kilometer.
  • A good rule of thumb is to save 10% of your income.

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