a grievous wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grievous wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious injustice or harm that has been done to someone or something. Example: "The decision to deny her the opportunity was a grievous wrong that she would not easily forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

By demonstrating that we can acknowledge and remedy a grievous wrong, we will remind the world what makes America great.

The Guardian - Opinion

They should remember that, in any other state, he would not be facing execution and that this is their last chance to prevent a grievous wrong.

The New York Times

Even though he did not believe blacks to be the equal of whites, Lincoln always believed that slavery was a grievous wrong.

Independent

But Ms. Woolcock and the opera's creators unquestioningly accept the injustice theory of terrorism: the idea that it is a response to a grievous wrong.

The New York Times

When bishops started telling parishioners that their gay and lesbian siblings were sinners, and that family planning was a grievous wrong, people stopped listening to them — for good reason.

The New York Times

Macon Blair stars as Dwight, a homeless drifter who finds out that the man convicted for doing his family a grievous wrong is about to be released from prison.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Not believing it would be calling upon God to witness a lie, a most grievous wrong, a wrong he would not wish his daughter to think her father capable of.

Huffington Post

And, likewise, if he were lying and had no intention of carrying out those duties, he would also be calling upon God to witness a lie, a most grievous wrong, have lost his honor, his integrity, his very essence -- forever.

Huffington Post

By now, it's a familiar genre: a person living in poverty and enduring difficult family circumstances does something dangerous, irrational, or self-destructive, perhaps in response to a particularly grievous wrong.

The New Yorker

"The contemptible end to this 'judicial process' leaves Iran's senior leaders with an obligation to right this grievous wrong.

The Guardian

Suppose that I betray a friend by frivolously revealing a secret that she had entrusted to me and that I knew mattered a lot to her: I have done her a grievous moral wrong, and might indeed have fatally damaged our friendship; but are we really to say that such conduct should (ceteris paribus) be criminal, or that its immorality gives us good reason to criminalize it?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grievous wrong" to add emphasis and formality when describing serious injustices or harms. It can strengthen your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "a grievous wrong" in casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "a big mistake" or "a serious problem" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grievous wrong" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a situation characterized by severe injustice or harm. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a grievous wrong" is a grammatically sound and usable expression denoting a serious injustice or harm. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its formality makes it more suitable for news, opinion pieces, and formal discussions rather than casual conversation. Alternatives such as ""a serious injustice"" or ""a terrible mistake"" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious injustice

Replaces "grievous wrong" with a more common and straightforward term for injustice.

a profound injustice

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the injustice.

a terrible mistake

Focuses on the error aspect of the wrong, rather than the suffering caused.

a deep-seated wrong

Highlights the entrenched nature of the injustice.

a flagrant violation

Emphasizes the obvious and shocking nature of the wrongdoing.

a gross miscarriage of justice

Specifically refers to failures within the legal system.

an egregious error

Highlights the shocking and remarkably bad nature of the error.

a monumental blunder

Focuses on the scale and impact of the mistake.

a significant transgression

Highlights the violation of a moral or ethical code.

an unpardonable sin

Emphasizes the severity and unforgivable nature of the act.

FAQs

How can I use "a grievous wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "a grievous wrong" to describe a serious injustice or harm that has been done. For example, "The discriminatory policy was "a grievous wrong" that needed to be addressed immediately."

What phrases are similar to "a grievous wrong"?

Alternatives to "a grievous wrong" include "a serious injustice", "a profound injustice", or "a terrible mistake", depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a grievous wrong" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a grievous wrong" is more suited to formal writing or when discussing serious matters. In everyday conversation, simpler terms might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a grievous wrong" and "a simple mistake"?

"A grievous wrong" denotes a significant and deeply felt injustice or harm, while "a simple mistake" refers to a minor error. The former carries a much heavier weight of moral or ethical violation.