a grave offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave offense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious wrongdoing or violation of rules, laws, or ethical standards. Example: "The committee deemed his actions a grave offense that warranted immediate disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

A petition against the plans said the "grossly offensive" name choice "constitutes a grave offense to the African descent communities in London and elsewhere".

Vice

"It is a grave offense to our Catholic population".

The New York Times

In Islam, insulting the Prophet Muhammad is a grave offense, and worshiping idols is prohibited.

The New York Times

In all countries it is considered a grave offense punishable by a long prison sentence or death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Russian government had warned publicly that moving it would be a grave offense to history and "disastrous for Estonians".

The New Yorker

Alas, in that country, she said, the gesture was seen as "a grave offense because the head is considered sacred".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"Our resources are limited, and when a person takes resources from the country through corruption and hurts the living standards of other people, it's considered a very grave offense," Hu Yunteng, a death penalty expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained to a Chinese-British legal conference in November.

The New York Times

A grave crime called for grave punishment..

The Guardian

"A travesty, a grave crime," he splutters.

The Economist

Insults are very subjective; one person may take grave offense to an action that another sees no issue with at all.

Huffington Post

In their decisions, the judges in both cases condemned what happened to the absentee ballot requests, but said that it was simply not a grave enough offense to disenfranchise voters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a grave offense", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and consequences of the action being described. Use it to emphasize the seriousness of ethical, moral, or legal violations.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a grave offense" to describe trivial matters. Reserve it for situations where the wrongdoing has significant and far-reaching consequences to maintain its impact and avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave offense" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies and categorizes a specific type of action or behavior. Ludwig AI shows that it is typically used to label serious transgressions in various contexts, emphasizing their significant impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a grave offense" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that denotes a serious wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its common usage in contexts involving news, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. While not exceedingly frequent, it's suitable for formal writing when emphasizing the severe nature and impact of an offense. Related phrases include "a serious transgression" and "a major violation", allowing for nuanced expression. Remember to avoid using "a grave offense" in minor situations to maintain its gravitas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious transgression

Emphasizes the violation of a law, duty, or moral principle.

a major violation

Highlights the breach of a rule or agreement, focusing on the significance of the infraction.

a grievous wrong

Stresses the harm or suffering caused by the action, adding an element of moral outrage.

a severe infraction

Underscores the strict enforcement of rules and the serious nature of the breach.

a flagrant violation

Indicates a blatant and intentional disregard for rules or laws.

a capital crime

Implies a crime serious enough to warrant the death penalty.

a critical breach

Focuses on the failure to meet an essential requirement or obligation.

a substantial breach of conduct

Emphasizes a failure to adhere to accepted standards of behaviour or ethics.

a deplorable act

Adds a strong element of disapproval and condemnation.

a significant misdemeanor

Highlights that despite being a serious offense it's still not a felony

FAQs

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

You can use "a grave offense" to describe a serious violation or wrongdoing. For example: "Committing perjury in court is considered "a grave offense".".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a grave offense"?

Similar phrases include "a serious transgression", "a major violation", or "a grievous wrong". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a grave offense" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a grave offense" is generally more appropriate for formal or serious contexts, such as news reports, legal documents, or academic papers. In informal writing, consider using less formal alternatives.

What's the difference between "a grave offense" and "a serious offense"?

While both phrases denote a significant wrongdoing, "a grave offense" suggests a higher degree of severity and consequence than "a serious offense". "Grave" implies a more profound and lasting impact.