a specific crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific crime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular criminal act or offense that is being discussed or analyzed. Example: "The detective was focused on solving a specific crime that had baffled the local police for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

None makes atheism a specific crime.

The Economist

Rape is a specific crime, he says.

The Guardian

Though recognised as a specific crime since 1993, family violence is widely accepted as "normal".

The Guardian

In Britain there is a specific crime called driving without due care and attention.

The New York Times - Books

Insulting Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state, is a specific crime in Turkey.

The Guardian

Now two laws have been passed in which violence against women is a specific crime.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it would be wrong to rule out a response to any specific crime type simply on the grounds of limited resources.

BBC

No one in these camps is charged with any specific crime, or brought before a judge, or represented by counsel.

The New York Times

Michael Fuller, the chief inspector of the CPS, said the Law Commission had been asked to consider whether there should be a specific offence of disability hate crime.

The Guardian

We need to replace anecdote-driven measures — such as reacting to a single specific crime with a new law that widens the net well beyond the intended target — with research-based policies that identify a goal and have built-in mechanisms to collect data on the way to achieving that goal.

Vice

Child abuse is a very specific crime.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, ensure that you use "a specific crime" to clearly define the offense being addressed. Avoid vagueness to maintain precision.

Common error

Do not use "a specific crime" when you mean criminal behavior in general. Use it only when referring to a particular, identifiable offense to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific crime" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a particular instance of illegal activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific crime" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to refer to a particular, identifiable illegal act. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when referring to a particular criminal action rather than general criminal behavior. Alternatives like "a particular offense" or "a distinct felony" can be used depending on the context, maintaining clarity and precision in legal and investigative narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular offense

Replaces "crime" with a synonym, focusing on the act itself.

a clearly defined crime

Focuses on the legal clarity and boundaries of the criminal act.

an identifiable offense

Focuses on the ability to recognize and pinpoint the crime.

a definite violation

Emphasizes the clear breach of a law or rule.

a precise illegal act

Emphasizes the exactness and unlawfulness of the deed.

a concrete transgression

Highlights the tangible and measurable aspect of the wrongdoing.

a pinpointed unlawful act

Emphasizes the accuracy in identifying the illegal action.

a designated criminal activity

Highlights the officially recognized criminal nature of the activity.

a distinct felony

Specifies that the crime is of a serious nature.

a categorized illegal action

Highlights how the illegal action has been classified.

FAQs

How to use "a specific crime" in a sentence?

You can use "a specific crime" when you want to refer to a particular unlawful act. For example, "The investigation focused on "a specific crime" of embezzlement".

What can I say instead of "a specific crime"?

Alternatives include "a particular offense", "a definite violation", or "a distinct felony" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a specific crime" or "specific crime"?

"A specific crime" is grammatically correct because the indefinite article "a" is needed before the singular countable noun "crime". "Specific crime" is incorrect in most contexts.

What's the difference between "a specific crime" and "general crime"?

"A specific crime" refers to a particular instance of illegal activity, whereas "general crime" refers to crime in a broader, non-specific sense.