assert one's right to

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiomformal

   to state firmly that you have a particular legal or moral entitlement

   Grammar: Followed by a noun or an -ing verb: 'assert her right to vote', 'assert their right to protest'.

   Patterns

   • assert one's right to something
   • assert one's right to do something
   • assert the right to something

   The workers asserted their right to a safe workplace.

   She asserted her right to see the documents before the trial.

   Minority groups have often had to assert their right to use their own language in schools.

Common combinations

assert one's right to vote

In the speech, she urged young people to assert their right to vote.

assert one's right to privacy

The actress went to court to assert her right to privacy.

assert one's right to know

Parents asserted their right to know what was being taught in the classroom.

firmly assert

The lawyer firmly asserted his client's right to remain silent.

Synonyms and how they differ

claim

More general and can suggest that others may disagree; 'assert' sounds more confident and formal.

defend

Focuses on protecting a right that is being challenged, while 'assert' focuses on stating it clearly.

Opposites

Word family

assertion noun

a confident statement that something is true

assertive adjective

behaving confidently and standing up for yourself

Commonly confused: assert one's right to or insert?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “assert one's right to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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