They entered illegally vs They are entering illegal

The phrases are not directly comparable as they convey different meanings. 'They entered illegally' refers to a past action of entering a place unlawfully, while 'they are entering illegal' seems to be a mix of present continuous tense and incorrect adjective use. These phrases serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 08, 2024 • 527 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a past action of entering a place unlawfully.

"They entered illegally "

This phrase is used to indicate that someone went into a place without permission or in violation of the law in the past.

Examples:

They entered illegally through the back door.
The thieves entered illegally and stole valuable items.
He was caught because he entered illegally.
She realized they had entered illegally when the alarm went off.
The group entered illegally and caused chaos.

Show examples from the web [+]

According to official Maltese sources, about 400 people, most of them asylum-seekers, are incarcerated solely because they entered Maltese territory illegally.
We know, however, that large numbers of illegal people are actually people who have overstayed their visas; they have not entered illegally.
Upon asking for identification, it was determined that they had entered the country illegally.
Member States shall apply this Directive to the third-country nationals who are, or have been victims of offences related to the trafficking in human beings, even if they have illegally entered the territory of the Member States.
Avoided border controls (entered illegally)
You entered illegally into my country.
If you entered illegally France, you must leave.
We believe the suspect entered illegally from Mexico and is now headed our way.
Third-country nationals who have entered illegally should be repatriated, but this has to be done by way of a process that is worthy of a legally constituted state.
She's entered this country illegally.
Your husband illegally entered a restricted area.
Firstly, the emphasis laid on the responsibility of the individual Member States when such Member States permit persons who have entered them illegally to remain in their national territory.
What, however, concerns me about this report is the fact that it highlights the rights of immigrant women who have entered Europe illegally.
Although we essentially support the principle of the free movement of the Union's citizens, we do not believe that people who have entered Europe illegally should be able to enhance their rights through marriage.
However, this Directive, which is supposed to provide for the return of illegal immigrants, is not does not criminalise immigrants who have entered Europe illegally.
How many third-country nationals entered Greece illegally each year from 1990 to 2005?
As the person may have entered the country illegally they are afraid, unwilling or unable to go to the police.
On 11 January 2 Turkish port authority patrol boats illegally entered Greek territorial waters near the islets of Imia, remained there for many hours and obstructed Greek fishermen in the area.
The report promotes giving many civil and health-associated liberties to individuals who have illegally entered many EU countries.
We should also be able to expect, however, that states which receive development aid take back migrants who have entered our countries illegally.

This phrase is not correct in English. It seems to mix present continuous tense with an incorrect use of the adjective 'illegal.'

"They are entering illegal"

Show examples from the web [+]

To prevent small arms from entering the illegal circuit, adequate stock management, safe transport and storage, and the destruction of surplus weapons are necessary.
It is already two years since Commissioner Frattini unveiled the plans to tackle illegal labour that guarantees a steady flow of illegals entering the European Union to work.
The risk of counterfeit medicines entering the EU through illegal distribution channels is increasing every year.
According to Frontex, 95% of illegal immigrants entering Europe enter via Greece.
This mass influx of third-country nationals will result in waves of illegal migrants entering many Member States.
The decision to include a clause obliging ACP countries to take back illegal immigrants entering Europe is worrying and will have to be implemented with extreme sensitivity.
Subject: European assistance in providing facilities for illegal immigrants entering southern Europe
We know that there is a constant risk of illegal immigrants entering the Member States of the European Union via these countries.
They call on the Commission and Member States to step up surveillance and to take tougher measures against illegal products entering the EU from third countries.
What measures can the Commission adopt to prevent illegal timber entering the European market? 4.
Subject: Alarming increase in the number of illegal immigrants entering Greece
There has been an alarming increase in the number of illegal immigrants entering Greece via its northern borders.
Subject: Damage caused by illegal goods entering the market
Subject: Preventive healthcare and medical examinations for illegal immigrants entering Greece
It is important to note that 90 % of illegal immigrants entering the EU come through Greece, which constitutes a serious challenge for the Greek authorities.
We do not wish to create a Fortress Europe, but we also witness the hectic movement of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants entering and passing through.
These operators must exercise due diligence on imported timber and/or timber products to minimize the risk of illegal timber entering the Indonesian supply chain.
This point is particularly relevant to the countries in the Schengen area who have abolished internal border controls - so illegal immigrants entering the Schengen area could in theory travel unchecked.
Member States shall make available generalised information sheets explaining the main elements of the standard form in at least five of those languages which are most frequently used or understood by illegal migrants entering the Member State concerned.
The presence of Frontex has led to very significant reductions in the number of illegal migrants entering the EU all over the Aegean, as the numbers of arrests indicate.

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They entered illegally vs They are entering illegal

"They entered illegally "

"They are entering illegal"

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