a major offence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major offence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious violation of laws or rules, often in legal or formal contexts. Example: "Driving under the influence is considered a major offence in many jurisdictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The Grand Slam committee director has determined that Ms Williams' conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct," said a USTA statement.

BBC

In some places this is a major offence and the last thing you want on your vacation is to bail a family member out of jail!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A first major offence carries a four-year ban, increased from two, with athletes banned for life if they test positive again.

BBC

A first major offence currently carries a two-year ban, with athletes banned for life if they test positive again.

BBC

A first major offence had carried a two-year ban, with athletes banned for life if they tested positive again.

BBC

"Mr Abedini has been provisionally suspended in accordance with the ITF Welfare Policy and is further subject to an investigation into a possible Player Major Offence of Aggravated Behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

Additionally, the rules state: "In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, a single violation... shall also constitute the major offence of "aggravated behaviour" and shall be subject to the additional penalties hereinafter set forth therefor".

Independent

And major offence was taken at the topless frolicking itself, not its subsequent depiction in the media.

The Guardian - Sport

An ATP statement said: "Under the ATP code of conduct, Klein was found to have committed the player major offence, aggravated behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

Major offence type is recorded in the Department of Justice data collections using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification, which contains 16 Divisions classified according to the offence aim, use of violence, victim, seriousness and intent (Pink, 2011).

Health & Justice

The number, length and nature of offence for maternal imprisonments during infancy, were described using child birth and death dates, mother prison reception and discharge dates, sentence type, and major offence type using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification (Pink, 2011).

Health & Justice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major offence", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific rules or laws being violated. This helps avoid ambiguity and clarifies the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a major offence" for minor infractions. Reserve this phrase for situations where the consequences are genuinely significant, such as legal breaches or serious violations of organizational policy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major offence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of wrongdoing or a violation of rules, emphasizing its significant nature. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is usable in written English to describe severe violations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major offence" is a phrase used to describe a serious violation of laws or rules, typically in formal contexts. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is suitable when emphasizing the significant nature of a transgression. When writing, reserve this term for instances with substantial consequences to avoid overstating the severity. Alternatives include phrases like "a serious violation" or "a grave transgression". Ludwig provides valuable insights into the phrase's function, purpose, and register, aiding in its appropriate and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious violation

Replaces "offence" with "violation", emphasizing the act of breaking a rule or law.

an egregious violation

Highlights that the violation is conspicuously bad or offensive.

a flagrant offense

Emphasizes the open and obvious nature of the offense.

a grave transgression

Uses more formal and weighty language to describe the offence as a severe wrongdoing.

a severe infraction

Emphasizes the breaking of a rule and uses "severe" to indicate the seriousness.

a critical breach

Focuses on the breaking of a rule or agreement, highlighting the severity of the breach.

a heinous act

Uses strong emotional language to describe the offence as shocking and wicked.

a significant misdemeanor

Specifies the type of offense as a misdemeanor but highlights its importance.

a felony

Replaces the general term "offence" with the specific legal term for a serious crime.

a capital crime

Refers to a crime punishable by death, representing the most extreme form of a major offence.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "a major offence"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious violation", "a grave transgression", or "a felony" depending on the context and severity of the situation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a major offence"?

The phrase "a major offence" is suitable in legal, formal, and professional settings when describing a significant violation of rules, laws, or policies. It's appropriate when the consequences are substantial and the breach is serious.

How does "a major offence" differ from "a minor offence"?

"A major offence" implies a serious violation with significant repercussions, while "a minor offence" refers to a less severe breach with minimal consequences. The distinction lies in the degree of impact and the seriousness of the infraction.

Is "major offense" (without 'a') grammatically correct?

While "major offense" might be understood, it's grammatically preferable to include the article "a" before "major offense" when referring to a singular instance. The phrase "a major offense" is more grammatically sound and commonly used.