My offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My offense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a wrongdoing or a mistake that one has committed, often in a context of apology or acknowledgment of guilt. Example: "I understand that my offense has hurt you, and I sincerely apologize for my actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

My offense?

The Guardian - Opinion

My offense was great".

The New York Times - Sports

"My offense is something I worked tremendously hard on in the off-season," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

My offense was having a camera on the front seat and wood in the back of my car.

Huffington Post

I know in round two I was put in a lot of bad positions and I wasn't able to get my offense going, but I feel like I was the more offensive guy in both rounds one and three".

Huffington Post

What is my offense?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Well then you've had Lyme for years," they said, rattling off a list of my offenses -- the fondness for a cappella music; the frequent watching of the History Channel; the insistence on removing labels from cans before throwing them in the recycling bin.

The New York Times

The reality is, I was stopped from further bad actions by those who spoke up about my offenses, at substantial risk to their personal and professional reputations… and subsequently, by Christine and others on the 500 team.

TechCrunch

This person was hurt that I didn't approach them with a detailed list of my offenses and offer an apology for each, and that I had an unreasonable expectation of their role in my life.

Huffington Post

Or maybe my real offense is that with my dark skin, coarse hair and pronounced nose, some people mistake me for Middle Eastern.

The New York Times

"I'm intrigued to see if my style of offense, my type coaching, can be successful in the N.F.L.," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my offense", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or behavior is being referred to. Providing details helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "my offense" in overly casual settings. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "my mistake" or "what I did" might be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "my offense" is as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a personal wrongdoing or transgression. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English, often in contexts of apology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my offense" is a grammatically correct phrase used to acknowledge personal responsibility for a wrongdoing. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability and suggests that its usage is more common in news and formal contexts. While "my offense" isn't as frequent as other expressions, it serves an important function in formally acknowledging mistakes and expressing remorse. Consider alternative phrases like "my transgression" or "my wrongdoing" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My transgression

Replaces 'offense' with a more formal term implying a violation of moral or religious law.

My wrongdoing

Uses a broader term that covers any kind of immoral or illegal act.

My misdeed

Substitutes 'offense' with a word highlighting the negative or harmful nature of the action.

My fault

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the speaker's responsibility for an error or mistake.

My mistake

Replaces 'offense' with a more casual term for an unintentional error.

My error

Uses a slightly more formal and neutral term than "my mistake."

My violation

Implies a breach of a rule, law, or agreement, similar to 'transgression'.

My indiscretion

Suggests a lack of discretion or imprudence in one's actions.

My lapse

Refers to a temporary failure of judgment or moral standards.

What I did wrong

Shifts the focus to the action itself rather than labeling it as an "offense".

FAQs

What's the difference between "my offense" and "my crime"?

"My crime" typically refers to a violation of the law and carries legal implications. "My offense", on the other hand, can refer to any wrongdoing, whether it's a legal infraction or a social faux pas.

What can I say instead of "my offense" in a formal setting?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "my transgression", "my wrongdoing", or "my violation" for a more serious and impactful tone.

How do I use "my offense" in a sentence?

You can use "my offense" to acknowledge a mistake or wrongdoing, for example: "I understand that my offense has caused you pain, and I sincerely apologize" or "What is "my offense"?" when questioning an accusation.

Is it ever appropriate to use "my offense" humorously?

While "my offense" is generally used in serious contexts, it can be used humorously or ironically to downplay a minor mistake or social misstep, but be mindful of your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.