a petty violation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a petty violation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or trivial infringement of rules or laws. Example: "The officer issued a warning for the petty violation of parking in a no-parking zone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If your housekeeper is accused of a petty violation, you may well want to keep silent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Veritas operatives persuaded a staffer at a rally to accept a Canadian citizen's money in exchange for a Hillary T-shirt — a petty violation of the ban on foreign political contributions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still, it was considered a secondary violation.

The New York Times - Sports

William H. Buckman, a Moorestown lawyer, filed one of the first racial profiling lawsuits in 1994 after becoming suspicious over the number of minority defendants coming to court with tickets for petty violations.

The New York Times

If you're a government official and care about local businesses and jobs, I urge you to reduce regulatory burdens, such as allowing cure periods for petty violations, instead of immediately levying expensive fines.

Forbes

Arresting and confining citizens for petty violations of municipal codes was unnecessary.

Huffington Post

These inmates cycle in and out of lockups, often for petty violations related to their mental illnesses.

Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Twitter has suspended low-profile accounts for relatively petty violations or, sometimes, for no stated reason at all.

Los Angeles Times

There are also, however, thousands of low-risk offenders who are incarcerated for minor drug crimes, petty violations of parole rules and other nonviolent and nonsexual crimes.

Los Angeles Times

For instance, he wrote that mentally ill inmates "cycle in and out of lockups, often for petty violations relating to their mental illness".

Huffington Post

Failure to report a lost or stolen gun is a petty offense for the first violation, and a misdemeanor for subsequent violations.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a petty violation", ensure the context clearly indicates the minor nature of the offense to avoid misinterpretations. If it's not really petty consider using another phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a petty violation" to describe serious breaches of rules or laws, as it can downplay the significance of the infraction and undermine the intended message. Using it in the wrong context can make you seem like you aren't taking the issue seriously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a petty violation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'petty' modifies 'violation', indicating the minor nature of the infraction. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an instance of a minor rule-breaking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a petty violation" is a phrase used to describe a minor or insignificant breach of rules or laws. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and its purpose is to downplay the severity of an infraction. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the minor nature of the violation to avoid misrepresenting the situation. Consider alternatives like ""a minor infraction"" or ""a trivial offense"" for similar meanings. Understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor infraction

Emphasizes the small scale and insignificance of the breach.

a minor infringement

Similar to 'infraction' but may imply a slightly more formal setting.

a trivial offense

Highlights the lack of importance and seriousness of the transgression.

a slight breach

Focuses on the minimal degree of deviation from the rules or standards.

a trifling violation

Uses 'trifling' to underscore the insignificance of the violation.

a negligible transgression

Stresses the almost non-existent impact or consequence of the act.

an inconsequential breach

Highlights that the breach has no real consequences.

a small rule break

Informal phrasing that emphasizes breaking a rule of little impact.

a forgivable offense

Highlights that the mistake can be overlooked easily.

a venial sin

Implies that this violation is easily forgiven and not severe.

FAQs

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

You can use "a petty violation" to describe minor infringements. For example: "The officer issued a warning for "a petty violation" of parking rules."

What are some alternatives to "a petty violation"?

Some alternatives include "a minor infraction", "a trivial offense", or "a slight breach" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a petty violation" in formal writing?

Yes, while it's not overly formal, "a petty violation" is appropriate for most writing contexts, including news and general reports. For strictly formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "a minor infringement".

What distinguishes "a petty violation" from "a serious offense"?

"A petty violation" refers to a minor or insignificant breach of rules, while "a serious offense" involves more severe transgressions with significant consequences. The distinction lies in the degree of impact and the associated penalties.