a small infraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small infraction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor violation or breach of rules or laws. Example: "The student received a warning for a small infraction of the school's dress code."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After being questioned at the airport in Buenos Aires, Mr. Antonini was allowed to leave after signing a paper saying he had committed a small infraction.

The New York Times

Part of the reason the police are distrusted in many neighborhoods is because they are little too quick to issue a summons over a small infraction.

HuffPost

You get home from work, make dinner, start getting the kids ready for bed... and then a small infraction by your child sets off a wildly disproportionate reaction from you.

Huffington Post

If you get even a small infraction, you risk getting your license revoked.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In this age of metal detectors, police in schools, and overly punitive zero-tolerance policies, our children are learning that any small infraction, even writing on a desk, can subject them to expulsion or possibly even a criminal record.

Huffington Post

"Iran's habit of lulling the world with a cascade of small infractions is an ingenious way to advance its program without provoking a crisis".

Los Angeles Times

Michael Milkie, the Noble chief executive, strongly justifies his system by saying a focus on small infractions puts a lid on potentially larger ones and results in safe environments and less distractions for students who do behave.

The New York Times

Trying to poison your tutor is no small infraction.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, a minor infraction is still an infraction.

HuffPost

In short, the move from small infractions to a deliberate pattern of deception or fraud is less an incremental slide than a deliberate strategy.

The New York Times

In the past years, stories have come out of Ferguson, New Orleans, and other cities, about how courts impose huge fees and fines on people for small infractions (like missing a stop sign, driving without insurance, or missing a court date).

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small infraction" when you want to downplay the severity of a mistake or violation. This phrase is useful in contexts where you need to be diplomatic or avoid causing unnecessary alarm.

Common error

While "a small infraction" can soften the impact of a mistake, avoid using it excessively to the point where it obscures the real issue. Honesty and clarity are crucial, especially in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small infraction" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a specific instance of a minor violation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small infraction" is a phrase used to describe a minor violation or mistake, serving to minimize its significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media, with its primary function being to downplay the severity of an action, adopting a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to maintain clarity and avoid excessive euphemisms. While seemingly a rare phrase, alternative expressions like "a minor offense" or "a trivial violation" can be employed to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor offense

Replaces 'infraction' with 'offense' and 'small' with 'minor', maintaining the meaning of a slight wrongdoing.

a trivial violation

Substitutes 'small' with 'trivial' and 'infraction' with 'violation', indicating an unimportant breach of rules.

a slight transgression

Replaces 'infraction' with 'transgression' and 'small' with 'slight', connoting a minor breach of conduct.

a petty misdemeanor

Uses legal terminology, where 'petty misdemeanor' refers to a minor crime or offense.

a negligible breach

Replaces 'small' with 'negligible' and 'infraction' with 'breach', emphasizing the insignificance of the violation.

a forgivable lapse

Shifts focus to the excusability of the error; 'lapse' suggests a temporary failure.

a venial sin

Employs a religious term to describe a minor sin or wrongdoing.

a technical foul

Specifically refers to minor rule violations, particularly in sports.

a light penalty

Focuses on the consequence of a minor infraction, which is a 'light penalty'.

a minor slip-up

Uses a more informal expression, 'slip-up', to describe a small mistake or infraction.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a small infraction"?

Alternatives include "a minor offense", "a trivial violation", or "a slight transgression", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a small infraction"?

It's appropriate when you want to describe a minor mistake or violation without emphasizing its severity, such as in school disciplinary actions or minor traffic violations.

Is "a small infraction" formal or informal language?

The phrase is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer "a minor violation".

Can "a small infraction" have serious consequences?

While the phrase implies a minor issue, repeated or ignored small infractions can sometimes lead to more significant problems or penalties. The context is key.