a major violation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major violation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant breach of rules, laws, or standards in various contexts, such as legal, ethical, or organizational settings. Example: "The company faced severe penalties due to a major violation of environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"That is a major violation," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The university also reported what it called a major violation to the N.C.A.A.

The New York Times - Sports

He called the actions a "major violation" of the 1951 Geneva convention on the treatment of refugees.

The New York Times

A penalty shot at goal from a penalty mark 13 feet away is awarded to the victim of a major violation of rules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But if there is a major violation at Arkansas by April 16, 2008, the sport involved could be subject to the death penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

At intermission, a patron reported that someone was secretly taping the performance, a major violation at the Met, which constantly struggles against bootlegging.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"There was nothing we would consider a serious or major violation".

The New York Times

The N.C.A.A. should make sure Carroll doesn't get another college coaching job for seven years, a year for each major violation Southern California was found to have committed.

The New York Times - Sports

In the case of U.S.C., the N.C.A.A. should ensure through regulations that Carroll does not get another college coaching job for seven years, a year for each major violation Southern California was found to have committed.

The New York Times - Sports

The N.C.A.A. has accused Boise State of committing one major violation and a series of infractions over five years in football and four other sports.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a major personal violation, and it's so retrograde that it's embarrassing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing rules or regulations, use "a major violation" to emphasize the seriousness of the breach. For instance, in academic settings, highlight "a major violation" of the honor code to convey the gravity of the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "a major violation" for minor infractions or trivial errors. Reserve this phrase for significant breaches that have serious consequences. For example, misusing "a major violation" for a late assignment diminishes the impact of the term when describing actual severe breaches of conduct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major violation" acts as a noun phrase, functioning as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly describes a significant breach of rules or standards, as evidenced by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major violation" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant breach of rules, laws, or standards. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business. While alternatives like "a serious breach" or "a significant infringement" can be used, it’s important to reserve this phrase for infractions with serious consequences, avoiding its misuse for trivial errors. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist, indicating its widespread acceptance and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious breach

This alternative emphasizes the severity of the violation using the word "serious".

a significant infringement

This alternative uses "infringement" to highlight the act of breaking a rule or law, stressing its importance.

a grave transgression

This alternative employs "transgression", suggesting a moral or ethical dimension to the violation, indicating it is a serious offense.

a severe infraction

This alternative emphasizes that the violation constitutes a serious breach of rules, with "severe" highlighting the intensity of the infraction.

a critical breach of protocol

This option emphasizes the violation of established protocol, deeming it crucial or essential in nature.

a flagrant violation

This alternative highlights the blatant and obvious nature of the violation.

a substantial contravention

This alternative uses a more formal term, "contravention", to denote a significant breach.

a gross dereliction

This phrase suggests a severe failure to fulfill one's duty or responsibility.

a fundamental breach

This alternative underscores that the violation affects the foundational principles or agreements.

a material non-compliance

This phrase emphasizes the failure to comply with essential requirements or regulations, using formal terminology.

FAQs

What does "a major violation" mean?

The phrase "a major violation" refers to a significant breach of rules, regulations, laws, or ethical standards. It implies that the infraction is serious and carries significant consequences.

How can I use "a major violation" in a sentence?

You can use "a major violation" to describe a serious breach of rules or laws, as in "The company faced severe penalties due to a major violation of environmental regulations." Another example: "Committing perjury in court is considered "a major violation" of the law".

What can I say instead of "a major violation"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious breach", "a significant infringement", or "a grave transgression" depending on the context.

Is "a major violation" formal or informal?

The phrase "a major violation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly used in professional, news, and legal settings. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.