a greater sin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater sin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing moral or ethical issues, often to compare the severity of different actions or behaviors. Example: "While lying is wrong, stealing is often considered a greater sin in many cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The second time is a greater sin".

The New York Times

Allowing deflation is a greater sin than allowing inflation.

The Economist

"I don't think you could commit a greater sin against a fan base," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

My friend and colleague Malcolm Gladwell makes the good point that we shouldn't single out athletes for a sin of our society — some students take memory pills, and why is this a greater sin?

The New Yorker

Cancellation of the election would surely bring disapproval from the West and from liberal circles in Moscow, they said, but it would be a greater sin to give up power to the Communists.

The New Yorker

"Because the normal rule would be that it is a sin and a crime to produce pornography if you are a Muslim, and a sin to view it in private, and the only way you could justify it would be as a necessary evil to avoid a greater sin, like fornication".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They did not surrender to the law and committed a great sin," he said.

The New York Times

"Anti-Semitism," the pope wrote in 1994, "is a great sin against humanity".

The New York Times

"At this moment, it's a great sin to do nothing".

The New York Times

Bonnie is a born-again kindergarten teacher in Ohio hoping to save her students' souls as recompense for a great sin she committed before finding Jesus.

The New York Times

"Iran is not seeking to have the atomic bomb, possession of which is pointless, dangerous and is a great sin from an intellectual and a religious point of view," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a greater sin" to emphasize the relative severity of a particular transgression compared to another. Ensure the context clearly defines both the 'sin' and what it's being compared to.

Common error

Avoid using "a greater sin" when the context doesn't involve a clear comparison. It should be used to differentiate between two or more actions or beliefs, not as a general statement about wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater sin" functions as a comparative expression, used to indicate that one action or behavior is considered morally worse than another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from political betrayal to religious morality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a greater sin" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that one action is morally worse than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct and usable. Its usage appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, implying a neutral register, although its religious connotations can sometimes shift the tone to a more formal or serious one. To ensure clarity, use this phrase when a direct comparison is intended, and be mindful of the specific context to avoid unintended implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more serious transgression

Replaces 'sin' with 'transgression' and 'greater' with 'more serious', emphasizing the severity of the act.

a worse offense

Substitutes 'sin' with 'offense' and 'greater' with 'worse', focusing on the violation of rules or laws.

a graver fault

Replaces 'sin' with 'fault' and 'greater' with 'graver', highlighting the seriousness of the mistake or failing.

a more egregious error

Emphasizes the shocking or appalling nature of the error, replacing 'sin' with 'error'.

a more significant wrongdoing

Replaces 'sin' with 'wrongdoing', highlighting the immoral or illegal aspect of the action.

a more substantial moral failing

Breaks down 'sin' into 'moral failing' and uses 'substantial' to denote greater magnitude.

a more profound ethical lapse

Substitutes 'sin' with 'ethical lapse', pointing to a deviation from ethical standards.

a weightier misdeed

Replaces 'sin' with 'misdeed' and uses 'weightier' to imply greater importance or consequence.

a more consequential lapse in judgment

Focuses on the implications of the action, replacing 'sin' with 'lapse in judgment'.

a darker act of iniquity

Replaces 'greater sin' with a more evocative and intense expression, emphasizing the evil nature of the act.

FAQs

How can I use "a greater sin" in a sentence?

You can use "a greater sin" to compare the severity of two different wrongdoings. For example, "In his eyes, betrayal was "a greater sin" than dishonesty".

What phrases are similar to "a greater sin"?

Alternatives include "a more serious transgression", "a worse offense", or "a graver fault". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a greater sin" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a greater sin" carries a strong moral or religious connotation. In formal writing, consider whether a more neutral phrase like "a more significant error" or "a more serious mistake" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a greater sin" and "a major sin"?

"A major sin" implies a significant wrongdoing in itself. "A greater sin" implies a higher level of severity compared to another sin. The former describes magnitude, while the latter describes comparative magnitude.