a grave transgression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave transgression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious violation of rules, laws, or moral principles. Example: "The committee deemed his actions a grave transgression against the ethical standards of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Embarrassing the community is a grave transgression, defined in the Talmud as a "chilul Hashem," or desecration of God's name.

The New York Times

The man threatened Zahra, telling her that he would reveal the scandal if she didn't join him outside her house, itself a grave transgression in her conservative society.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The priest, the Rev. Thomas D. Williams, apologized in a statement on Tuesday "for this grave transgression" and "to everyone who is hurt by this revelation".

The New York Times

There is no excuse for the failure to apologize for this grave transgression".

The New York Times

In its name, they make extreme sacrifices and sometimes perpetrate grave transgressions.

The Guardian - Film

Reportedly, Dynasty's graver transgressions were funding a political discussion club and supporting several media outlets that still pursue editorial independence.

The New Yorker

There are so many ways to do God's work on earth, and the unofficial doctrine that sexual purity alone should constitute human sanctity fuels some of its gravest transgressions.

Huffington Post

This is a grave error.

Forbes

This is a grave matter".

The New York Times

That's not a grave".

The New Yorker

A grave crime called for grave punishment..

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave transgression" when you want to emphasize the serious and significant nature of a wrongdoing or offense. It adds a formal and weighty tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave transgression" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or out of place in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave transgression" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies and characterizes a specific instance of wrongdoing or offense. Ludwig indicates that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave transgression" is a formal phrase used to describe a serious offense or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While relatively rare, its use is concentrated in news, media, formal, and business contexts. When choosing an alternative, consider synonyms such as "a serious offense" or "a major violation" to maintain a tone appropriate to the context. Remember that using formal expressions in casual speech can sometimes sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious offense

Emphasizes the severity of the wrongdoing, focusing on its legal or moral implications.

a major violation

Highlights the act of breaking a rule or law in a significant way.

a severe infraction

Focuses on the formal rules or regulations that have been breached.

a critical breach

Suggests a failure to uphold a duty or obligation of considerable importance.

a significant wrongdoing

Broadly describes an action that is morally or ethically wrong and has substantial consequences.

a heinous act

Emphasizes the shocking and reprehensible nature of the action.

a profound misdeed

Highlights the depth and significance of the wrong action.

a substantial malfeasance

Indicates misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

a fundamental lapse

Suggests a serious failure in judgment or standards.

a flagrant violation

Emphasizes that the action is a blatant or obvious breach of rules or ethics.

FAQs

What does "a grave transgression" mean?

The phrase "a grave transgression" refers to a serious violation of a law, rule, moral principle, or ethical standard. It implies that the offense is significant and carries considerable consequences.

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

You can use "a grave transgression" to describe actions that are seen as serious offenses. For example, "The committee deemed his actions "a grave transgression" against the ethical standards of the organization".

What are some synonyms for "a grave transgression"?

Alternatives to "a grave transgression" include phrases like "a serious offense", "a major violation", or "a significant wrongdoing" depending on the specific context.

Is "a grave transgression" formal or informal?

"A grave transgression" is considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, it might be more appropriate to use simpler terms such as "a serious mistake" or "a big error".