Dear 1L: Don’t confuse “prescribe” & “proscribe”

Dear 1L Writer,

I’m seeing students use “proscribe” and “prescribe” interchangeably. Wanted to make sure you were clear that the words are near opposites.

To “prescribe” means to direct or instruct a rule (or course of conduct) to be followed (e.g., a doctor prescribing medicine or exercise). But “prescribe” comes up in law, too.

—For example, a statute might prescribe a mandatory, minimum sentence for certain felony convictions

To “proscribe,” by contrast, means to forbid or ban. Think prOhibit.

—For example, a statute might proscribe the act of making false statements to the FBI.

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What other word pairs come up in the law or legal writing that new law students should be sure they know?

Fondly,

Amanda