a severe breach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe breach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant violation or infringement of rules, laws, or agreements. Example: "The company faced serious consequences due to a severe breach of contract that affected its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Not to do so would be a severe breach of etiquette.

The New York Times

I realize that this was a severe breach of etiquette, and I can only blame the (understandable) agitation from which I was suffering.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Article 7 of the EU Treaty allows a country to be sanctioned or suspended if it commits a severe breach of fundamental rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Given the sums of money involved, the multiple ways in which the minister would benefit from this legislation, this would appear to be a severe breach of the code".

The Guardian

"The Politics of Religion" (editorial, May 28) tries to turn a severe breach of the separation of church and state by the Department of Health and Human Services into a breach by the Roman Catholic Church.

The New York Times

Brooks told the jury that she had read about hacking in newspaper stories; she had talked about it casually because she had not realised it was illegal; but she would never have sanctioned it because it was such a severe breach of privacy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That is a very severe breach of trust and undermining of public confidence and there is a need of the court to restore parliament in this case.

The Guardian - Sport

In July, Japan was the last country to resume PlayStation Network services after Sony reported a severe data breach in April.

TechCrunch

The N.C.A.A. plans to scrap its current enforcement structure, consisting of major and secondary violations, and replace it with a four-tiered structure, topped off by the "Level I: Severe breach of conduct" category for the worst offenders.

The New York Times - Sports

During the course of that investigation, Yahoo learned of the more severe breach, which it has said it believes was state-sponsored.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet the diplomatic hullabaloo is drowning out any discussion of his severe breach of medical ethics and the adverse impact his actions will have on vaccination programs, particularly polio eradication drives, in Pakistan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe breach", ensure the context clearly defines what rules, laws, or agreements have been violated for maximum impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe breach" for minor infractions; reserve it for situations with significant consequences to maintain credibility and avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe breach" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It denotes a significant violation of a rule, law, or agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe breach" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant violation of rules, laws, or agreements. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct grammatical standing and suggests it's most commonly found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports and academic papers. While not extremely frequent, its usage is well-established. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what has been violated and the consequences involved. Avoid using it for minor infractions to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "a grave violation" or "a serious transgression" can be used depending on the specific context. Keep in mind, as Ludwig examples show, this phrase carries a tone of seriousness and should be employed accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave violation

Emphasizes the seriousness of the violation, using a more formal tone.

a serious transgression

Highlights the act of overstepping boundaries in a significant way.

a critical infringement

Focuses on the violation of rights or laws with substantial impact.

a major infraction

Indicates a significant rule violation, often within a specific code or set of regulations.

a substantial violation

Underlines the considerable extent or degree of the violation.

a flagrant disregard

Highlights the disrespectful and open nature of the violation.

a gross dereliction

Emphasizes a serious failure to fulfill a duty or obligation.

a fundamental contravention

Stresses a violation of basic principles or agreements.

a material non-compliance

Highlights a failure to adhere to essential requirements or standards.

a stark contravention

Emphasizes the sharp and clear contrast of an action compared to the rule.

FAQs

How can "a severe breach" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a severe breach" to describe significant violations of rules, laws, or agreements. For example, "The company faced penalties due to "a severe breach" of environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to saying "a severe breach"?

Alternatives include "a grave violation", "a serious transgression", or "a major infraction" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "severe breach" without the article "a"?

While grammatically understandable, using "a severe breach" is more common and natural. Omitting "a" might sound slightly awkward in most contexts.

What is the difference between "a severe breach" and "a minor breach"?

"A severe breach" indicates a significant and impactful violation, while "a minor breach" refers to a less consequential infraction. The severity depends on the potential consequences and the degree of the violation.