a minor infraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor infraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or trivial violation of a rule or law. Example: "The student received a warning for a minor infraction, such as being late to class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Again, the threat of apocalypse is not proof against a minor infraction.

The New Yorker

But teams don't sit their best player for a minor infraction.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Gosselaar won his second race, but was disqualified for a minor infraction at the finish line.

The New York Times

For a minor infraction the offending player must remain in the penalty box at the side of the rink for two minutes while his team plays shorthanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grooming in public is rude, but hair tossing is a minor infraction in a society where people brush their teeth in buses.

The New York Times - Books

Instead he was watching on TV at party in Malibu, barred from the ceremony for a minor infraction of campaign rules.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

His resignation over such a seemingly minor infraction is a measure of the increasingly weak position of Mr. Kan, whose public approval ratings have fallen into the high teens.

The New York Times

In August 2009, Nate Robinson posted messages during a traffic stop, turning an otherwise minor infraction into an embarrassing news story.

The New York Times - Sports

This kind of fraternizing is, arguably, a relatively minor infraction, but it contributes to a discernibly disturbing pattern of behavior.

Huffington Post

A lot of people would have thought this a relatively minor infraction had Paterson not, according to the commission, lied about the matter under oath and then produced a backdated check, as though he were a renter and the commission (which he once sought to abolish) a grasping landlord he was trying to outwit.

The New Yorker

This is a relatively minor infraction in the Ukrainian criminal code, but it is also well known to the politically aware as the charge typically levelled by the government against those whom it would rather not prosecute at all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing formal situations like legal proceedings or official reports, use "a minor infraction" to downplay the severity of the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor infraction" when the violation has significant consequences. Ensure the context aligns with the term's connotation of insignificance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor infraction" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes an action or behavior that constitutes a small violation of a rule, law, or code of conduct. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minor infraction" is a noun phrase used to describe a small or insignificant violation of a rule or law. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news and legal contexts to downplay the severity of an offense. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with its connotation of insignificance. Alternatives include "a trivial offense" and "a slight violation". Using the phrase accurately can enhance clarity and precision in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trivial offense

Replaces "infraction" with "offense", emphasizing the insignificance of the violation.

a small offense

Replaces "minor" with "small", keeping the meaning virtually identical.

a slight violation

Substitutes "minor" with "slight" and "infraction" with "violation", highlighting the minimal impact of the breach.

a petty transgression

Uses "petty" to underscore the trivial nature and "transgression" to denote a breach of rules.

a negligible violation

Emphasizes the insignificance of the infraction by using "negligible".

an insignificant breach

Highlights the unimportance of the violation by describing it as "insignificant".

a technical foul

More specific to sports/games, indicating a minor rule violation.

a forgivable lapse

Focuses on the excusable nature of the error or violation.

a venial sin

Implies a minor wrongdoing, particularly in a moral or religious context.

a light misdeed

Uses "light" to convey the minor nature of the misbehavior or action.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor infraction" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor infraction" to describe a small violation of a rule or law, for example: "The student received a warning for "a minor infraction", such as being late to class".

What's the difference between ""a minor infraction"" and "a serious offense"?

"A minor infraction" refers to a small, often unintentional, violation. In contrast, "a serious offense" describes a significant and possibly intentional breach of rules or laws.

What can I say instead of ""a minor infraction""?

You can use alternatives like "a trivial offense", "a slight violation", or "a petty transgression" depending on the context.

Is ""a minor infraction"" formal or informal?

"A minor infraction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more frequently found in news, legal, and professional settings.