a grave offence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a grave offence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that is considered to be a serious, usually criminal, wrong-doing or violation of the law. Example Sentence: The accused was charged with a grave offence and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Tory MP Conor Burns told the Sunday Times that the story represented a grave offence to the victims of the IRA.

The Guardian - Books

Kicking the ball away after full time is, of course, a grave offence and it is essential that those in power clamp down on bad behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

Some dismissed his trickery as "continental", a grave offence, and his England teammate Billy Wright called him a "pain in the neck" because he never passed.

The Guardian - Books

I was left with the feeling that I had committed a grave offence against the black community by even writing a play with white people in it, let alone allowing them to speak about the world as they saw it.

The Guardian - Books

The former first minister, Henry McLeish, was somewhat ponderously berating a nationalist for a grave offence which, because of parliamentary convention, he could not mention, but it began with H and ended with Y.

The Guardian

The drive to designate non-paying adherents as outcasts who have committed "a grave offence against the Christian community" has been met with distaste by both liberal and conservative Catholic groups in Germany, and the issues that this case raises go right to the heart of the shifting nature of Catholic identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While the remain side can fairly be accused of overstating its case, the leave side is guilty of a graver offence: wilfully misrepresenting its agenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those who fraudulently interfere are committing a most grave offence against the body politic.

The Guardian

A grave crime called for grave punishment..

The Guardian

When committed a minor offence, a child is sent to the Rehabilitation Center and has a chance to avoid a prison term; in case of a grave crime such as a murder, the child will be punished anyway.

Unicef

Remember that it is gravely wrong to receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin (grave offence against the law of God) on your soul.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave offence", ensure the context clearly establishes the seriousness and implications of the wrongdoing. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the severity of the breach or crime.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave offence" to describe trivial or minor misdeeds. This phrase is reserved for situations involving significant breaches of law, ethics, or trust; using it inappropriately can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave offence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or behavior considered to be a serious violation of legal, ethical, or moral standards. Ludwig AI confirms that is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave offence" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious violation of legal, ethical, or moral standards. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, emphasizing its role in underscoring the severity and consequences of wrongdoing. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific, wiki, and formal business settings, signaling its versatility across different communication styles. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context appropriately reflects the seriousness of the offense to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious transgression

Emphasizes the severity and violation of a rule or moral principle.

a heinous crime

Highlights the shocking and wicked nature of the offense.

a major violation

Focuses on the significant breach of a rule, law, or agreement.

a severe breach

Implies a serious break or rupture of trust, security, or law.

a grievous wrong

Stresses the deep sense of suffering or injustice caused by the action.

a capital crime

Indicates an offense punishable by death.

a mortal sin

Refers to a serious sin that separates one from divine grace.

an egregious act

Emphasizes the outstandingly bad or shocking quality of the deed.

a gross misconduct

Indicates a serious breach of professional or ethical standards.

a flagrant violation

Stresses the blatant and obvious nature of the breach.

FAQs

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

You can use "a grave offence" to describe a serious crime or wrongdoing. For example, "Committing perjury in court is considered "a grave offence" that can lead to imprisonment."

What are some alternatives to "a grave offence"?

Alternatives include "a serious transgression", "a heinous crime", or "a major violation", depending on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

"A grave offence" implies a significant breach of law, ethics, or trust, while a simple mistake typically involves unintentional errors or oversights with less severe consequences. It indicates intentionality and seriousness.

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

Use "a grave offence" when describing situations involving severe legal, ethical, or moral violations that carry significant consequences. Avoid using it for minor infractions or trivial matters. Examples include serious crimes such as fraud, treason, or gross negligence.