a grave lesson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave lesson" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a serious or significant lesson learned from an experience, often with a sense of caution or warning. Example: "After the accident, we all understood that it was a grave lesson about the importance of safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At the time, North Korea said that Qaddafi's fall was "a grave lesson" that persuading other nations to give up weapons was "an invasion tactic".

The New Yorker

I saw The Insurance Man back in 1986 and understood it to be a grave lesson in how modernity and technocratic bureaucracy can dehumanise everyone involved, stripping us of our individuality, our dignity and our compassion.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Libyan crisis is teaching the international community a grave lesson," the official was quoted as saying Tuesday, proclaiming that North Korea's "songun" ideology of a powerful military was "proper in a thousand ways" and the only guarantor of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What grave lesson are they teaching to the other students looking on?

The New York Times

A grave distrust of corporations — a lesson learned from the experience with the railroad builders — is explicitly encoded in state law.

The New Yorker

The movie ends with a shot of the boy's father, guilt ridden and sobbing, kneeling by his son's grave, a lesson presumably learned.

The New York Times

Ignoring the lessons of history about the need for air power would be a grave mistake.

The New York Times

But despite the best efforts of tracks like "Seksi Businessman" and "Panties" to resurrect the genre, turbofolk's body lies a-moldering in the grave, an important lesson to all of us from the mists of Serbian history: Dumb music kills.

Vice

This is a grave error.

Forbes

This is a grave matter".

The New York Times

That's not a grave".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave lesson" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and significance of what has been learned, especially if it involves negative consequences or a warning for the future.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave lesson" for minor setbacks or everyday inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the lesson learned carries significant weight and potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave lesson" functions as a noun phrase, where "grave" is an adjective modifying the noun "lesson". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the nature or quality of the lesson learned, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave lesson" is a phrase used to underscore the importance and seriousness of a lesson learned, often serving as a cautionary tale. Ludwig's analysis shows it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not overly common, its impact lies in emphasizing the weight of the learning experience. Ludwig AI also points out that it's best reserved for situations with significant implications, avoiding overuse in trivial matters. Consider alternatives like "a serious warning" or "a harsh reality check" to adjust the tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious warning

Emphasizes the cautionary aspect of the lesson learned.

a harsh reality check

Highlights the element of unexpectedness and sobering realization.

an important moral

Focuses on the ethical dimension and the principle derived from the experience.

a significant takeaway

Stresses the key point or understanding gained from the event.

a crucial understanding

Highlights the importance of the knowledge acquired.

a profound insight

Emphasizes the depth and impact of the lesson.

a painful truth

Focuses on the unpleasant or difficult nature of the lesson learned.

a sobering experience

Emphasizes the serious and reflective nature of the event.

a tough lesson to learn

Highlights the difficulty and challenge involved in understanding the lesson.

a hard-won wisdom

Stresses the effort and sacrifice required to gain the knowledge.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a grave lesson" in a sentence?

Use "a grave lesson" to emphasize the importance and seriousness of a learning experience, often one that serves as a warning. For example: "The company's failure served as "a grave lesson" about the risks of ignoring market trends."

What are some alternatives to saying "a grave lesson"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a serious warning", "a harsh reality check", or "an important moral" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a grave lesson" in a formal setting?

Yes, "a grave lesson" is suitable for formal settings when discussing significant learning experiences or warnings. The term "grave" adds a level of seriousness that is appropriate for such contexts.

What's the difference between "a grave lesson" and "a hard lesson"?

"A hard lesson" refers to a difficult or unpleasant experience from which something was learned. "A grave lesson" implies that the lesson is not only difficult but also carries significant weight and potential consequences.