a grave breach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave breach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious violation or infringement of rules, laws, or ethical standards. Example: "The investigation revealed a grave breach of trust between the parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Her spokesperson called it a "a grave breach of trust".

The New Yorker

"That would be a grave breach of trust," Mr. Seibert quoted her as saying.

The New York Times

The killings were a grave breach of the fourth Geneva convention, the inquiry said.

The Guardian

Yet this represented a grave breach of security that threatened the health of Londoners and many travellers.

Independent

Human-rights groups have lambasted the plan, which they say would represent a grave breach of international law.

The Economist

The Goldstone report concluded this was a "grave breach" of the fourth Geneva convention and a possible war crime.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

A second, less readable report by the editorial standards committee of the BBC, examining the circumstances around the disastrous misidentification of Lord McAlpine in a separate Newsnight report wrongly linking him to child sex abuse, revealed a further grave breach of elementary journalistic standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

Law enforcement officials described the case as an extremely grave breach of national security.

The New York Times

They say the army's barring of EU and Red Cross efforts to supply relief tents marks a dangerous precedent and grave breach of international humanitarian law.

Independent

Officials described the case as a grave security breach.

The New York Times

Papers Handed to Terror Suspect According to court documents, prosecutors mistakenly turned over 48 classified F.B.I. documents to Zacarias Moussaoui in what a federal judge described as a grave security breach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave breach", ensure the context clearly establishes the rules, laws, or ethical standards that have been violated. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave breach" to describe trivial or insignificant errors. This phrase denotes a serious violation; using it inappropriately dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave breach" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object, describing an action or situation that constitutes a serious violation of established rules, laws, or ethical norms. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which shows how this phrase is used in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave breach" signifies a serious violation of rules, laws, or ethical standards. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and formal contexts. When writing, ensure the situation warrants the strong connotation of this phrase, and clearly specify the violated standards to maximize its impact. Alternatives like ""a serious violation"" or ""a major infraction"" may be suitable depending on the context, if the intention is to dilute the strong meaning of "a grave breach".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious violation

Replaces 'breach' with a more direct term for wrongdoing, focusing on the act of violating a rule or law.

a major infraction

Substitutes 'grave breach' with a term emphasizing the severity of the rule broken.

a severe transgression

Replaces 'breach' with 'transgression', highlighting the act of going beyond acceptable limits in a serious way.

a critical failure

Focuses on the aspect of failing to meet a standard or expectation, rather than a direct violation.

a significant infringement

Emphasizes the act of encroaching upon or violating a right or law in a noteworthy manner.

a profound violation of trust

Highlights the betrayal aspect, specifying that the 'grave breach' involves a deep violation of confidence.

a fundamental dereliction of duty

Shifts the focus to a failure to perform one's responsibilities, emphasizing the seriousness of the neglect.

a gross dereliction

Emphasizes a significant failure or neglect of duty, but it is less formal than "fundamental dereliction of duty".

a flagrant abuse

Focuses on the open and scandalous nature of the misuse or violation.

a material noncompliance

More formal and legalistic, emphasizing a failure to adhere to specific terms or regulations.

FAQs

How can I use "a grave breach" in a sentence?

Use "a grave breach" to describe a serious violation of rules, laws, or trust. For example, "The company's actions were considered "a grave breach" of ethical standards".

What are some alternatives to "a grave breach"?

Alternatives include "a serious violation", "a major infraction", or "a severe transgression". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify what rule or law was violated when using "a grave breach"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the violated rule or law strengthens your statement and provides clarity. For example, "It was "a grave breach" of international law".

What distinguishes "a grave breach" from a simple mistake?

"A grave breach" implies a serious violation with significant consequences. A simple mistake is typically unintentional and less severe. You can use "a critical failure" to refer to "a grave breach".