a simple offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple offense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a minor wrongdoing or violation, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The defendant was charged with a simple offense, which did not carry severe penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's not a simple offense.

The New York Times

Q: A draft expert said you come from a simple offense.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

IAN HAWKER was convicted and sentenced in Bergen County last year for a fairly simple offense, hindering arrest, and was eligible for parole March 10.

The New York Times

What Australia did bring, however, and the US might not have understood, was a plucky aggressiveness, a simple yet effective offense of screens and rolls and a solid front court led by Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes.

The Guardian - Sport

His duties were taken over by McKay, who pointed to the increased effectiveness of the team's "simpler" offense, saying that they were no longer "trying to do all the things people said you have to do in this league".

Wikipedia

The Los Angeles Police Department classified it as a simple assault — a minor offense not included in the city's official tally of serious crimes.

Los Angeles Times

But what should have been handled as a relatively simple misdemeanor offense ended up costing Ms. Jones 15 days in jail because, she says, she was mistaken for a woman named Tanya Jones, who sometimes spelled her first name differently and was wanted for a parole violation.

The New York Times

You also have confidence when someone who has had the success offensively that he's had said, 'I see a lot of good things coming.' " What Billick saw was a serviceable, if not spectacular, offense with a simple mandate: control the ball, get first downs, don't mess this up.

The New York Times - Sports

A simple shift from defense to offense can set your business up for huge gains in the new year.

Forbes

The Americans wanted to limit both offensive & defensive weapons, while the Russians wanted a simple ABM agreement., & had little interest in constraining offense.

The New Yorker

"González 's offenses would be bad enough if perpetrated by a simple con man," the government wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal situations, use "a simple offense" to clearly communicate that the wrongdoing is not severe and likely carries lighter penalties.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple offense" when the context involves significant harm or legal consequences. Ensure the description aligns with the actual severity of the situation to avoid misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple offense" functions as a noun phrase, where "simple" modifies "offense". It describes the nature of the offense, indicating it is not severe or complex. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through examples demonstrating its application in legal and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a simple offense" is used to describe minor wrongdoings or violations, conveying that the infraction is not severe. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across different contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "a minor transgression" or "a petty violation" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, make sure the context aligns with the actual severity of the situation to avoid misrepresentation. While the phrase is considered correct, its relatively uncommon usage suggests considering more frequent alternatives for broader appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor transgression

Focuses on the act being a violation, but emphasizes its small scale.

a petty violation

Replaces "offense" with "violation" and highlights its insignificance.

a slight misdemeanor

Specifies the offense as a misdemeanor and underscores its lightness.

a trivial breach

Emphasizes the insignificance of the infraction or violation.

a small infraction

Uses 'infraction' to denote a less serious violation of a rule or law.

a light wrongdoing

Replaces 'offense' with 'wrongdoing', specifying the absence of severity.

an insignificant infraction

Highlights the lack of importance associated with the committed offense.

a non-serious violation

Explicitly states that the violation is not of a grave nature.

a forgivable transgression

Implies that the offense is minor enough to be easily forgiven.

a pardonable lapse

Indicates a minor slip-up or mistake that can be excused.

FAQs

How can I use "a simple offense" in a sentence?

You can use "a simple offense" to describe a minor wrongdoing. For example, "He was charged with "a simple offense", such as jaywalking."

What are some alternatives to "a simple offense"?

Alternatives include "a minor transgression", "a petty violation", or "a slight misdemeanor", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a simple offense" in formal writing?

Yes, "a simple offense" is appropriate in formal writing when accurately describing a minor violation. Ensure the tone and context align with the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "a simple offense" and "a serious crime"?

"A simple offense" refers to a minor wrongdoing with limited consequences, while "a serious crime" involves significant harm and severe penalties. The terms are used to differentiate the gravity of the violation.