a particular offence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a particular offence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific crime or wrongdoing in a legal or formal context. Example: "The defendant was charged with a particular offence that violated the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Where within that scale the facts of a particular offence fall is the judge's task.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

An Oz issue edited by school children was prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act in 1971; particular offence was caused by a cartoon of a sexually active Rupert Bear.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Fox News morning show took particular offence to Blunt's comments, with anchor Anna Kooiman directly addressing the 32-year-old actress: "Well you know what, why don't you leave Hollywood, California and let some of the American women take the roles that you're getting because American citizens are watching your movies and lining your pockets".

Independent

His particular offence was "stock parking", a charge not used before or since, that was tied to his willingness to "warehouse" shares for investors, often in advance of hostile takeovers, enabling them to evade reporting requirements.As part of a guilty plea, Jefferies assisted in various prosecutions and was allowed to forgo a prison sentence.

The Economist

Criminologist Rory Kelly, a research assistant with the UK Law Commission's criminal justice team, has written: "Government continues to increase the number of offences that can trigger a civil preventive order, and each time the justification given is that this particular offence is exceptional because it is a very serious problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet gaffes, silly or outrageous, are woven into the fabric of politics and cause particular offence when they contain an awkward kernel of truth that it would have been more tactful to have left unsaid.

The Guardian

Back in China, the film, where it was not boycotted entirely, caused particular offence by showing the star taking a violent slap from her Japanese admirer as a proof of affection, resulting in marriage in short order.

The Guardian - Film

Catholics took particular offence at the way in which a writer of Protestant Ascendancy background causes the Playboy, Christy Mahon, to utter such imprecations as: "With the help of God, I killed him surely, and may the holy immaculate mother intercede for his soul".

The Guardian

The organisation has slammed the campaign, accusing Dairy Crest, the owner of Country Life, of "protectionism" and "being underhanded" – and have taken particular offence to the current advert, which is a mock newspaper page with the headline "Anchor's from New Zealand!".

The Guardian

Mr Godoy took particular offence when federal agents barged into his palace.

The Economist

The National Catholic condemend the advert as blatantly "anti-Catholic", with Matthew Archbold taking particular offence to "voice of Aslan" being used to advocate decriminalising abortion.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While "a particular offence" is grammatically sound, you might choose simpler alternatives like "a specific crime" for general audiences.

Common error

Ensure you're not accidentally using "offence" when you mean "defense". "Offence" refers to a crime or wrongdoing, while "defense" refers to protecting against an attack or accusation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a particular offence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a specific instance of wrongdoing or a crime, providing precision in legal or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a particular offence" is a noun phrase used to specify a distinct act of wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts such as legal documents and news reports. While alternatives like "a specific crime" may be preferred for general audiences, the precision of "a particular offence" makes it valuable in situations where clarity is paramount. While uncommon, the phrase finds its place across various contexts in news, scientific and academic discussions. Understanding its function and register ensures its appropriate use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific crime

Replaces "offence" with "crime" for a more common term.

a certain transgression

Substitutes "offence" with "transgression", implying a violation of a rule or law.

a precise violation

Uses "violation" instead of "offence", emphasizing the act of breaking a rule.

a given infraction

Replaces "offence" with "infraction", typically used for minor violations.

a distinct wrongdoing

Emphasizes the moral or ethical aspect of the offence.

a singular misdeed

Replaces "offence" with "misdeed", highlighting the negative action.

a noteworthy breach

Substitutes "offence" with "breach", focusing on the breaking of an agreement or rule.

a notable violation of law

Adds "of law" for clarity, emphasizing the legal aspect of the offence.

a specific act of illegality

Rephrases to highlight the unlawful nature of the act.

a particular act of misconduct

Replaces "offence" with "misconduct", suggesting inappropriate behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "a particular offence" in a sentence?

You can use "a particular offence" to refer to a specific crime or wrongdoing, such as: "The defendant was charged with "a particular offence" related to fraud."

What are some alternatives to using "a particular offence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a specific crime", "a certain violation", or "a precise transgression".

Is it correct to say "the particular offence" instead of "a particular offence"?

While grammatically possible, "the particular offence" implies that the offence has already been specified or is known within the context. "A particular offence" introduces a specific, but not necessarily previously mentioned, offence.

When is it appropriate to use "a particular offence" in writing?

"A particular offence" is suitable in formal writing, legal documents, and news reports where precision is important. In casual conversation, a simpler phrase might be more appropriate.