capital offense

USAGE SUMMARY

"capital offense" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a serious crime that is punishable by death, such as murder or treason. Example: "Committing a capital offense in this country will result in a sentence of life imprisonment without parole or, in some cases, the death penalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Treason is a capital offense.

The New York Times

Hijacking is a capital offense.

The New York Times

It was considered a capital offense.

The New York Times

"Rustling is still a capital offense," one said.

The New York Times

(The crime was a capital offense punishable by beheading).

The New York Times

Another "morale" crime was listening to Allied radio broadcasts, a capital offense.

Harvard University

Under his rule, the consumption of coffee was a capital offense.

The New Yorker

Parliament responded by declaring "frame breaking" a capital offense, and the machines kept coming.

The New Yorker

Copying or sharing them with foreign powers was sometimes a capital offense.

The New Yorker

(She even takes it to an evening concert — still a capital offense in France, I believe).

The New Yorker

In Iran today, lavat (sodomy) is a capital offense and people are frequently executed for it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capital offense" in formal writing or legal contexts where precision is required; for less formal situations, consider using synonyms like "serious crime" or "heinous act" to convey a similar meaning.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all federal crimes are "capital offenses". A federal crime is any violation of US federal law, while a "capital offense" is a specific category of crime that is punishable by death under federal or state law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital offense" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific category of crime. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts to denote crimes that carry the possibility of a death sentence or life imprisonment without parole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capital offense" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. It is crucial to use this phrase accurately, understanding the specific legal implications and jurisdictions it applies to. When aiming for less formal communication, alternatives like "serious crime" may be appropriate. Remember that not all federal crimes are "capital offenses". Always specify the relevant jurisdiction when discussing this term to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital crime

A more concise synonym for "capital offense".

death penalty offense

Focuses specifically on offenses that could result in the death penalty.

crime punishable by death

More descriptive, specifying the punishment directly.

offense punishable by life imprisonment without parole

Highlights the alternative punishment to the death penalty.

heinous crime

Emphasizes the severity and moral repugnance of the crime.

grave offense

Indicates a serious and significant transgression.

serious felony

Highlights the legal classification and severity of the crime.

major crime

A more general term for a significant criminal act.

atrocious act

Focuses on the cruelty and brutality of the crime.

unspeakable crime

Emphasizes the shocking and morally reprehensible nature of the offense.

FAQs

How is "capital offense" used in a sentence?

The phrase "capital offense" typically refers to a crime that is punishable by death. For example, "Treason is often considered a "capital offense" in many countries".

What are some other ways to say "capital offense"?

Alternatives to "capital offense" include "capital crime", death penalty offense, or simply a crime punishable by death.

What makes a crime a "capital offense"?

A crime becomes a "capital offense" when the legal statutes of a jurisdiction specifically allow for the death penalty as a possible punishment upon conviction. The exact crimes that qualify vary by jurisdiction.

Is every murder considered a "capital offense"?

No, not every murder is a "capital offense". For murder to be classified as such, there usually need to be aggravating factors present, such as premeditation, multiple victims, or the killing of a police officer.