a gross misapplication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gross misapplication of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious error in the way something is applied or interpreted, often in a critical context. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts is a gross misapplication of resources that could benefit the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Ms. Kuglin said yesterday, "I believe the 16th Amendment is constitutional and the Internal Revenue Code is constitutional, but I also feel there is a gross misapplication of the individual income tax laws by the I.R.S".

The New York Times

This week, Mo Mowlam has admitted to smoking cannabis as a student, the footballer Maradona has gone into a Cuban clinic for his cocaine habit, and in a gross misapplication of justice, two charity workers at a Cambridge drop-in centre for the homeless have been sentenced to a total of nine years imprisonment for failing to take "reasonable steps" to prevent drug-dealing on the premises.

The Guardian - Books

Judgments will have to be made, and, unless there are grave violations of due process, or a gross misapplication of the principles of resource allocation, it seems unlikely that one could make a principled criticism of a particular decision that could be used as a basis for a claim against the state.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's a gross generalisation, of course.

Independent

"A GROSS abuse of government power".

The Economist

This was a gross breach of trust.

The Guardian

That is a gross distortion of reality.

The Guardian

A gross margin of 44percentt.

TechCrunch

A gross misuse of nomenclature.

Huffington Post

What a gross miscalculation of the aftermath.

Huffington Post

"That is a gross dereliction of duty".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a gross misapplication of", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a significant error or misuse. Provide specific details to support your claim and emphasize the negative consequences of the misapplication.

Common error

Avoid using "a gross misapplication of" for minor errors or disagreements. Reserve this phrase for situations where the misuse is substantial and has significant repercussions. Otherwise, consider milder alternatives like "minor error" or "slight misunderstanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gross misapplication of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object, highlighting a critical assessment of how something has been wrongly or inappropriately applied. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gross misapplication of" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval of a significant error in application. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the strong criticism it implies, and consider more moderate alternatives for less severe situations. The phrase serves to highlight the serious consequences resulting from the misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flagrant abuse of

Highlights a more deliberate and offensive misuse.

a severe distortion of

Focuses on the alteration and misrepresentation aspect.

a blatant perversion of

Emphasizes a corrupting or deviant misuse.

a serious error in applying

Underscores the mistake made during application.

a grave misunderstanding of

Highlights the lack of comprehension leading to misuse.

a fundamental misinterpretation of

Focuses on the incorrect understanding of the core principles.

a significant departure from

Emphasizes the deviation from established norms or rules.

a marked deviation from

Stresses the noticeable difference from expected application.

an egregious misjudgment in

Highlights the poor decision-making leading to the error.

a terrible mishandling of

Focuses on the incompetence or negligence in managing something.

FAQs

What does "a gross misapplication of" mean?

It signifies a severe or significant error in how something is applied or used, implying a major deviation from the correct or intended application.

How can I use "a gross misapplication of" in a sentence?

Use it to describe situations where a rule, principle, or resource has been clearly and significantly misused. For example, "The excessive force used by the police was a gross misapplication of their authority."

What are some alternatives to "a gross misapplication of"?

You can use alternatives such as "flagrant abuse of", "severe distortion of", or "blatant perversion of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a gross misapplication of" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate for formal writing when you need to emphasize a significant and unacceptable misuse. The phrase conveys a strong critical perspective suitable for professional or academic contexts.