acts of transgression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acts of transgression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to actions that violate rules, laws, or moral codes. Example: "The committee reviewed several acts of transgression that had occurred within the organization over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Antichrist circles relentlessly around acts of transgression.

The Guardian - Film

John delighted in such purposeful, creative acts of transgression.

The Guardian

The club's irony-fueled name translates to "forbidden, especially by an authority," and it's clear after the opening that few acts of transgression will be forbidden in this place when resident parties like Push The Night and Trouble & Bass invade.

Vice

Anyway, I'd like to submit the "Dunham rule" as a related phenomenon, in which a woman who has demonstrated one or more previous acts of transgression in a pop-cultural context will be approached warily, as if those acts are what primarily define her, with little room to be considered or criticized for anything beyond them, regardless of what else she's up to.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nonetheless "AngloMania" is itself an act of transgression.

The New York Times - Arts

What populist politics requires most of all is an act of transgression on the part of the populist leader.

Vice

The offender must begin an internal conversation, a psychic change, to reckon with his act of transgression.

Huffington Post

"My guess as to why [people impersonate serial killers]," Mark Blacklock, author of I'm Jack, tells me over email, "[is that] it's a gigantic 'fuck you' to societal norms, a willed act of transgression.

Vice

But most importantly, I wanted to make an argument that any act of transgression that an artist makes (and this work certainly represents one, especially that all 42 portraits were created during one night, in a single frenzy session), becomes a part of his autobiography, a lived-through moment," Fabijanska says.

Vice

He traces the literary cults of "murder and suicide" and "acts of Satanic transgression" in 19th-century European Romanticism and nihilism.

The New York Times - Books

Like many movies with a feminist twist, it's rambly and goes nowhere, but at least it's got time travel, outfits you wish you'd have the tits to wear, all the greats in late-70s new wave punk, murder, arson, babes, dwarves, and various acts of social transgression.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical or moral failures, consider using "acts of transgression" to emphasize the deliberate violation of established norms or boundaries.

Common error

Avoid using "acts of transgression" in everyday conversation. It's a formal phrase best suited for discussing serious ethical, legal, or moral violations, and its use in casual settings can sound pretentious or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acts of transgression" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes actions that violate established rules, laws, or moral codes. It often introduces a tone of seriousness or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acts of transgression" refers to actions that deliberately violate rules, laws, or moral codes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and generally appears in formal contexts such as news reports and academic discussions. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent and appropriate in serious discussions of ethical or legal violations. When writing, it's best to avoid using "acts of transgression" in casual contexts, as it is better suited for describing serious matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transgressions

This alternative is a synonym, simply removing the pluralized “acts of”.

wrongdoings

This alternative is a more general term for actions that are morally or legally wrong.

offenses

This alternative focuses on actions that break a specific rule or law.

violations

This alternative highlights the breaking of an agreement, law, or principle.

breaches

This alternative refers to violations of trust, contract, or duty.

misdeeds

This alternative suggests morally wrong or illegal acts.

improprieties

This alternative suggests morally inappropriate or unethical behavior.

infractions

This alternative refers to minor violations of a rule or law.

sins

This alternative emphasizes the religious or moral aspect of the transgression.

crimes

This alternative specifies actions that are punishable by law.

FAQs

How can I use "acts of transgression" in a sentence?

You can use "acts of transgression" to describe deliberate violations of rules, laws, or moral codes. For example, "The investigation revealed several "acts of transgression" committed by company executives."

What are some alternatives to "acts of transgression"?

Alternatives include "wrongdoings", "offenses", or "violations" depending on the context. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

What distinguishes "acts of transgression" from simple mistakes?

"Acts of transgression" implies a deliberate or knowing violation, whereas simple mistakes are unintentional errors. The former carries a heavier connotation of moral or ethical failure.

Is "act of transgression" or "acts of transgression" more correct?

Both are correct, but "acts of transgression" is used when referring to multiple instances. "Act of transgression" is appropriate when discussing a single instance.