a slight transgression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight transgression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor violation or breach of rules or norms. Example: "He committed a slight transgression by arriving a few minutes late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For people who assume that a computer is a benign dictator, these were reminders that the slightest transgression could turn it into a deranged despot.

The New York Times - Arts

Embittered as he is, Corky is primed to spot the slightest transgression, never mind an impulse as catastrophically risky as Jed's wander down the beach to Pine's place.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Women rarely venture out for fear of being reprimand by Isis police, known as the Hisbah, and the female unit, the Khansaa Brigade, even for the slightest transgression, such as carrying a brightly coloured handbag.

The Guardian

The slightest transgression from another company would be enough to have me running through town screaming for a boycott.

The Guardian - Opinion

A real or perceived dalliance or slight, a transgression on her part or her husband's — who knew?

The New Yorker

It was God's ubiquity, combined with his omniscience and his habit of delivering savage on-the-spot punishments for the slightest transgressions, that had Parry in such a bad way.

The Economist

Women had been whisked away and imprisoned and brutalized for the slightest transgressions — like wearing lipstick or being improperly dressed.

The New York Times

Andrew Sullivan can stand for many in seeing P.C. people "demanding more and more sensitivity for slighter and slighter transgressions".

Huffington Post

For the next several days, my cellie and I delighted in shouting at each other, "I will break your fuckin' jaw!" over the slightest transgressions.

Vice

For the next several days, my cellie and I delighted in shouting at each other, "I will break your fuckin jaw!" over the slightest transgressions.

Vice

Andrew Sullivan can stand for many in seeing P.C. people "demanding more and more sensitivity for slighter and slighter transgressions". Alas, in 2016 I expect to see the bogeyman of political correctness circulate even more widely in academic circles and in national political discourse.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight transgression" to downplay the seriousness of an offense, indicating that it is not a major issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight transgression" when the offense is genuinely serious. Using it in such contexts can trivialize the situation and undermine the impact of the wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight transgression" functions as a noun phrase that describes a minor offense or wrongdoing. It combines an adjective ("slight") to modify the noun ("transgression"), indicating the degree or severity of the offense. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight transgression" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minor offense or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not highly frequent, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that it accurately reflects the minor nature of the transgression and doesn't trivialize more serious offenses. Alternatives like "a minor offense" or "a small infraction" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor offense

Replaces 'transgression' with a more common term for wrongdoing and slight with minor.

a small infraction

Substitutes 'transgression' with 'infraction', indicating a violation of a rule or law and slight with small.

a petty violation

Replaces 'transgression' with 'violation' focusing on the act of breaking a rule, and slight with petty, meaning insignificant.

a trivial breach

Uses 'breach' instead of 'transgression', emphasizing the breaking of an agreement or code and trivial instead of slight.

a negligible fault

Focuses on the aspect of a 'fault' or mistake, replacing 'transgression' and uses negligible for something so small it is not worth considering.

a minor misstep

Emphasizes an error in conduct, replacing 'transgression' with 'misstep' and using minor to indicate its smallness.

a venial sin

Applies a religious context, where 'venial sin' refers to a minor sin that does not result in complete separation from God.

a forgivable error

Highlights the aspect of being able to pardon the mistake, replacing 'transgression' with the more straightforward 'error'.

an insignificant lapse

Uses 'lapse' to denote a temporary failure in judgment or behavior, and 'insignificant' to underscore its lack of importance.

a technicality

Implies that the 'transgression' is only a violation of the strict interpretation of rules, not necessarily a morally wrong act.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight transgression" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight transgression" to describe a minor offense or wrongdoing. For example, "Arriving a few minutes late was "a slight transgression", but it wasn't a big deal."

What are some alternatives to "a slight transgression"?

Alternatives include "a minor offense", "a small infraction", or "a petty violation", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a slight transgression"?

No, it's not. Use it only when the offense is truly minor and not when the wrongdoing has significant consequences. Ensure the phrase matches the actual impact of the action.

What is the difference between "a slight transgression" and "a serious transgression"?

"A slight transgression" refers to a minor offense, while "a serious transgression" indicates a significant and impactful wrongdoing. The choice depends on the gravity of the action.