Illegitimate vs Legitimate: Which Should You Use In Writing?

When it comes to distinguishing between illegitimate and legitimate, many people are often confused about which of the two is the proper word to use. In reality, both words have different meanings and are used in different contexts.

Illegitimate refers to something that is not authorized or sanctioned by law, custom, or rule. It can also mean something that is not genuine, or that is false. On the other hand, legitimate means something that is legal, valid, or acceptable. It can also mean something that is authentic, or that is based on fact.

In this article, we will explore the differences between illegitimate and legitimate, and how these words are used in different contexts. We will also look at some examples to help you understand the meaning of these words better.

Define Illegitimate

Illegitimate is a term used to describe something that is not authorized, recognized, or accepted by law or society. In legal terms, an illegitimate child is one born to unmarried parents. It can also refer to something that is not genuine or authentic.

An illegitimate business is one that operates outside the law, such as a black market operation or a business that engages in fraud or other illegal activities. Illegitimate can also refer to an argument or claim that is not supported by evidence or logic.

Define Legitimate

Legitimate refers to something that is legal, authorized, or accepted by law or society. A legitimate child is one born to married parents or one whose parents have legally established their relationship. It can also refer to something that is genuine or authentic.

A legitimate business is one that operates within the law and adheres to ethical standards. It can also refer to an argument or claim that is supported by evidence or logic.

Illegitimate vs Legitimate

Illegitimate	Legitimate
Not authorized by law or society	Authorized by law or society
Not genuine or authentic	Genuine or authentic
Operates outside the law or engages in illegal activities	Operates within the law and adheres to ethical standards
Unsupported by evidence or logic	Supported by evidence or logic

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the words illegitimate and legitimate can be tricky, especially when it comes to writing. In this section, we will explore how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

How To Use Illegitimate In A Sentence

The word illegitimate is used to describe something that is not authorized or recognized by law. Here are some examples of how to use illegitimate in a sentence:

• The company’s profits were made through illegitimate means.
• The politician’s actions were deemed illegitimate by the public.
• The court ruled that the evidence was obtained through illegitimate methods.

As you can see, illegitimate is often used to describe actions or things that are not considered acceptable or legal. It can also be used to describe a person who was born out of wedlock.

How To Use Legitimate In A Sentence

The word legitimate is used to describe something that is legal or authorized. Here are some examples of how to use legitimate in a sentence:

• The company’s profits were made through legitimate business practices.
• The politician’s actions were deemed legitimate by the public.
• The court ruled that the evidence was obtained through legitimate methods.

As you can see, legitimate is often used to describe actions or things that are considered legal or acceptable. It can also be used to describe a person who was born within wedlock.

It’s important to use these words correctly in order to convey the intended meaning in your writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are using illegitimate and legitimate appropriately and effectively.

More Examples Of Illegitimate & Legitimate Used In Sentences

As we continue to explore the usage of the words “illegitimate” and “legitimate,” it’s important to see how they are used in everyday language. Here are some more examples:

Examples Of Using Illegitimate In A Sentence

• The company’s profits were based on illegitimate business practices.
• He was arrested for possessing illegitimate drugs.
• The politician’s actions were deemed illegitimate by the public.
• The company’s claims of being environmentally friendly were proven to be illegitimate.
• The athlete was stripped of his medal due to illegitimate performance-enhancing drugs.
• The judge ruled that the evidence obtained was illegitimate and therefore inadmissible.
• The company’s use of child labor was deemed illegitimate by human rights organizations.
• The artist’s work was considered illegitimate by art critics.
• The politician’s illegitimate child was revealed during the election campaign.
• The company’s use of counterfeit materials was deemed illegitimate by industry standards.

Examples Of Using Legitimate In A Sentence

• The company’s profits were based on legitimate business practices.
• He was granted legitimate access to the building.
• The politician’s actions were deemed legitimate by the public.
• The company’s claims of being environmentally friendly were proven to be legitimate.
• The athlete’s performance was deemed legitimate after passing a drug test.
• The judge ruled that the evidence obtained was legitimate and therefore admissible.
• The company’s use of adult labor was deemed legitimate by industry standards.
• The artist’s work was considered legitimate by art critics.
• The politician’s legitimate child was revealed during the election campaign.
• The company’s use of authentic materials was deemed legitimate by industry standards.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the terms “illegitimate” and “legitimate,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, this can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Illegitimate” As A Synonym For “Illegal”

One common mistake is using “illegitimate” as a synonym for “illegal.” While these words may seem similar, they have different meanings. “Illegal” refers to something that is against the law, while “illegitimate” refers to something that is not authorized or recognized as valid. For example, a child born out of wedlock is not considered illegitimate, but rather born out of wedlock. To avoid this mistake, make sure to use the correct word depending on the context.

Using “Legitimate” To Mean “Legal”

Another mistake is using “legitimate” to mean “legal.” While these words are related, they have different meanings. “Legal” refers to something that is in accordance with the law, while “legitimate” refers to something that is valid or accepted. For example, a business may be legitimate but still engage in illegal activities. To avoid this mistake, make sure to use the correct word depending on the context.

Assuming “Illegitimate” Always Has A Negative Connotation

Finally, another mistake people make is assuming that “illegitimate” always has a negative connotation. While it can be used in a negative context, such as to describe a child born out of wedlock, it can also be used in a neutral or positive context. For example, a new idea or concept may be considered illegitimate at first, but later become widely accepted. To avoid this mistake, make sure to consider the context in which the word is being used.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to take the time to understand the meanings of “illegitimate” and “legitimate” and use them correctly in different contexts. Here are some tips:

• Look up the definitions of these words in a dictionary or online resource
• Consider the context in which the word is being used
• Avoid using these words interchangeably
• When in doubt, ask for clarification or seek out additional resources

Context Matters

When it comes to the terms “illegitimate” and “legitimate”, context is everything. These words have very different connotations and implications depending on the situation in which they are used.

Illegitimate Vs Legitimate

The term “illegitimate” is often used to describe something that is not authorized or legal. It can refer to a child born out of wedlock, a business that operates outside of the law, or a government action that violates human rights. In contrast, “legitimate” typically implies that something is lawful, valid, or acceptable according to established norms or standards.

Contextual Examples

Let’s consider some different contexts in which the choice between “illegitimate” and “legitimate” might change:

1. Business

In the business world, the line between “illegitimate” and “legitimate” can be blurry. For example, a company might engage in aggressive marketing tactics that some might consider unethical or even illegal. In this case, the company’s actions could be described as “illegitimate” by critics, but the company itself might argue that it is simply operating within the bounds of the law and industry standards.

2. Politics

When it comes to politics, the terms “illegitimate” and “legitimate” can be highly charged. For example, a government might pass a law that restricts the rights of a particular group of people. Some might argue that this law is “illegitimate” because it violates human rights, while others might argue that it is “legitimate” because it was passed through legal channels and reflects the will of the majority.

3. Family

Finally, the terms “illegitimate” and “legitimate” can also be used in reference to family relationships. In the past, a child born out of wedlock might have been considered “illegitimate” and faced social stigma as a result. Today, however, many people reject this label and instead use terms like “non-marital” or “born to unmarried parents” to describe such children. Similarly, adoption can also raise questions of legitimacy, as some people might view an adopted child as “illegitimate” because they are not biologically related to their parents.

Overall, the choice between “illegitimate” and “legitimate” depends on the context in which they are used. While these terms might seem straightforward at first glance, their meanings can be highly nuanced and subjective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While it is important to understand the general rules for using the terms illegitimate and legitimate, there are certain exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Legal Exceptions

There are certain legal situations where the terms illegitimate and legitimate may not apply in the same way as they do in everyday language. For example, in some jurisdictions, a child born out of wedlock may be considered legitimate if the parents later get married. Similarly, there are cases where a child may be considered illegitimate even if their parents were married at the time of their birth. These legal exceptions can be confusing, but they are important to understand in the context of family law.

2. Cultural Exceptions

There are also cultural exceptions to the rules around illegitimate and legitimate. In some cultures, for example, it is common for children to be born out of wedlock and still be considered legitimate. In other cultures, the opposite may be true, and a child born outside of marriage may be considered illegitimate regardless of their parents’ intentions or actions. These cultural differences can be complex and may require a nuanced understanding of the specific context.

3. Historical Exceptions

In the past, there were certain historical exceptions to the rules around illegitimate and legitimate. For example, in some societies, children born to concubines or mistresses were considered legitimate, even if their fathers were already married to other women. Similarly, there were times when children born to enslaved women were considered illegitimate, even if their fathers were free men. These historical exceptions can help us understand how attitudes towards family and marriage have changed over time.

4. Scientific Exceptions

Finally, there are scientific exceptions to the rules around illegitimate and legitimate. For example, advances in reproductive technology have made it possible for children to be born without a biological father or mother. In these cases, the terms illegitimate and legitimate may not apply in the same way as they do in traditional family structures. Similarly, there are cases where children are born with genetic abnormalities that make it difficult to determine their biological parentage. These scientific exceptions can be challenging to navigate, but they are important to consider in the context of modern family law and ethics.

Practice Exercises

Practice exercises are a great way to improve your understanding and use of the words “illegitimate” and “legitimate.” Here are some exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence:

1. His claim to the throne was __________.
2. The company was accused of __________ business practices.
3. She was worried that her child might be __________.
4. The judge declared the evidence to be __________.

Answer Key:

1. illegitimate
2. illegitimate
3. illegitimate
4. legitimate

Exercise 2: Matching

Match the word to its definition:

Word	Definition
Illegitimate	Not authorized by law; not in accordance with accepted standards or rules
Legitimate	Authorized by law; in accordance with accepted standards or rules

Explanation:

Matching exercises are a great way to test your knowledge of vocabulary words and their definitions. In this exercise, you will match the word “illegitimate” with its definition and the word “legitimate” with its definition.

By completing these practice exercises, you will be able to improve your understanding of the words “illegitimate” and “legitimate” and use them correctly in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between illegitimate and legitimate language use, it is clear that using proper grammar and vocabulary is essential for effective communication and conveying credibility. Illegitimate language can lead to misunderstandings and undermine the authority of the speaker or writer.

It is important to understand the nuances of language use and to strive for accuracy and clarity. This can be achieved through continued learning and practice, as well as seeking feedback from others.

Key Takeaways:

• Illegitimate language refers to non-standard or incorrect usage of grammar and vocabulary.
• Legitimate language follows accepted rules and conventions and is essential for effective communication.
• Illegitimate language can undermine credibility and lead to misunderstandings.
• Continued learning and practice can improve language use and enhance communication skills.

By prioritizing the use of legitimate language, individuals can improve their communication skills and convey professionalism and credibility in their personal and professional lives.

As language is constantly evolving, it is important to stay up-to-date with changes and developments in grammar and vocabulary. By continuing to learn and grow in our language use, we can become effective communicators and convey our ideas with clarity and precision.