a grave charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a serious accusation or allegation against someone. Example: "The defendant faced a grave charge of embezzlement that could lead to significant prison time if convicted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Fernando's death at Fez in 1443 seems to have been felt by Henry as a grave charge upon his conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hunt levelled a grave charge at Labour: that it oversaw a systematic cover-up of NHS failures.

The Guardian

He was also reputed to be an atheist with a penchant for blasphemy -- a grave charge in 16th-century England.

The New York Times

However, thematically and emotionally, the novel suggests that a grave charge will be leveled at Isak, a move the novel also resists, elides and elegantly avoids.

The New York Times - Books

On Jan . 20 , 1844a newspaper in Massachusetts published a report of "a grave charge of official misconduct against the able and distinguished District Attorney".

The New York Times

The activist, Liu Xianbin, 43, a resident of Sichuan Province who previously served nine years for organizing an outlawed political party, was convicted of "inciting subversion of state power," a grave charge often subject to broad interpretation by judicial authorities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A graver charge – one that bears not only on his fiction but on his pronouncements as a public man, as a writer-in-the-world – is that there is something essentially appropriative about his talent: that big subjects are being adopted to add bigness to Amis.

The Guardian - Books

Among rank and file academics within the country's historically British-style higher education system, the recent overhaul has been criticised not only as elitist - a grave enough charge in a culture still imbued with a romantic attachment to educational egalitarianism - but as a harbinger of a more Americanised system to come.

The Guardian

Witness what has been happening to Ibrahim Yazdi, the leader of the Freedom Movement, who was arrested on December 14th on the grave charge of insulting "sacred religious values".

The Economist

Military chiefs have not explained what actions Bergdahl is specifically accused of that warranted the grave charge of misbehavior before the enemy.

The Guardian

But our investigation shows that he has a compelling case to answer on a string of grave charges.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave charge", ensure the context clearly establishes the serious nature of the accusation and its potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave charge" for minor offenses or trivial matters, as this diminishes the phrase's impact and can be perceived as hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave charge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing serious accusations with potential consequences. It denotes a significant allegation, suggesting severe implications if proven true.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a grave charge" is a noun phrase denoting a serious accusation or allegation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. The phrase emphasizes the weight and potential consequences of the accusation. Alternatives include "a serious accusation" or "a weighty allegation". When employing this phrase, ensure the context reflects the genuine severity of the situation to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious accusation

Replaces "grave" with "serious", maintaining the severity of the accusation.

a weighty allegation

Substitutes "grave" with "weighty" to emphasize the importance and impact of the allegation.

a significant indictment

Replaces "charge" with "indictment", specifying the formal accusation in a legal context.

a major accusation

Uses "major" instead of "grave" to describe the scale and impact of the accusation.

a severe allegation

Employs "severe" to underline the intensity and potential consequences of the allegation.

a critical accusation

Replaces "grave" with "critical", highlighting the potential impact of the accusation in a specific context.

a damning indictment

Emphasizes the negative and potentially ruinous nature of the indictment.

a profound accusation

Uses "profound" to highlight the deep implications and consequences of the accusation.

a heavy allegation

Substitutes "grave" with "heavy" to stress the burden and impact of the allegation.

a consequential accusation

Highlights the important results or effects of the accusation.

FAQs

What does "a grave charge" mean?

The phrase "a grave charge" refers to a serious accusation or allegation, often implying significant consequences if proven true.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a grave charge"?

It is appropriate to use "a grave charge" when referring to accusations that carry severe penalties or have significant repercussions, such as criminal offenses or serious ethical violations.

What can I say instead of "a grave charge"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious accusation", "a weighty allegation", or "a significant indictment" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a grave charge" and "a serious charge"?

While both phrases denote a significant accusation, "a grave charge" often implies a greater degree of severity and potential consequence compared to "a serious charge". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of seriousness you wish to convey.