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Simple English definitions for legal terms

rule of the last antecedent

Read a random definition: Security Council

A quick definition of rule of the last antecedent:

The rule of the last antecedent is a way for courts to interpret sentences. It means that words or phrases that describe something only apply to the thing right before them, unless the context or the whole sentence says otherwise. For example, if we say "I gave apples to John, Jane, and the teacher in the park," the phrase "in the park" only applies to the teacher, not John or Jane. This rule helps us understand what a sentence means more clearly.

A more thorough explanation:

The rule of the last antecedent is an interpretative principle used by courts to determine which words or phrases a qualifying phrase modifies. It states that qualifying words or phrases modify the words or phrases immediately preceding them and not words or phrases more remote, unless the extension is necessary from the context or the spirit of the entire writing.

For example, if we have the phrase "Texas courts, New Mexico courts, and New York courts in the federal system," the words "in the federal system" might be held to modify only "New York courts" and not "Texas courts" or "New Mexico courts." This is because "New York courts" is the last antecedent before the qualifying phrase.

The rule of the last antecedent is important because it helps to clarify the meaning of a sentence or phrase. By following this rule, we can determine which words or phrases are being modified and avoid confusion or ambiguity.

Another example of the rule of the last antecedent is the sentence "I saw a man with a telescope on the hill." In this case, the phrase "on the hill" modifies "telescope" and not "man" because "telescope" is the last antecedent before the qualifying phrase.

rule of the floating subtrahend | rule of the shorter term

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9:31
some people hate him. some people love him, but he a real one: https://youtu.be/w5oEqiVQcF4?t=173
9:32
[kevin oleary]
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
worthless i trust you implicitly you know what it will happen now.
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:34
I mean if Fordham doesn't release today I will purposefully get on a train, go to new york, and then take the stinkiest shit inside the admission office's toilet (potentially clogging it and forcing them to get a plumber)
IS IT ONLY ON MY END WHY DID THAT SEND TEN MILLION TIMES
HELLO
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:35
it sent a million times lol
WHAT HAPPENED
yeah i thought you were tweaking for a second
i'm so sorry everyone what the actual fuck this website hates me
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:35
Jack's just tweaking on LSD no biggie
to be fair this accurately represents my mental state
election day psychosis coming in hot (fordham)
usc pls pull through .....
i literally just need one A so i can relax before my ED decision
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:38
oh that's right USC might release
soapy
9:43
USC still has not looked at my app
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:43
when did you submit soapy?
soapy
9:44
10/16
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:44
to be fair it took them almost 2 months for me to go under review
soapy
9:44
Feelin a bit stressed, as I've got no date change for Michigan either despite applying 10/7
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:45
I have not had a date change either for Mich but I've seen people get in without one so who knows
I applied 9/25 to like 6 schools and some (Houston) have no date change yet so dw
soapy
9:46
But do people get in without addresses going long?
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
9:46
it's tough to tell because a lot of people type out their addresses long to begin with
soapy
9:46
Ah. I didn't. Looking back, my Mich supplement kind of sucks, so there's that
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