capital sin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capital sin" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious or moral context to refer to a serious or grave sin that leads to other sins. Example: "According to the teachings of the church, pride is considered a capital sin that can lead to many other moral failings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"That auction was without consultation, and that was the first capital sin," he said.

Huffington Post

Besides their "lost war on talent," perhaps the other capital sin for Yahoo was to never really find their focus as a company.

Huffington Post

I mean God forbid you ever show them you are a little bit attached -- it is a capital sin these days -- although I have to reckon, there is something weird about us wanting to create some sort of dialogues with such creatures.

Huffington Post

Sloth (acedia) in tackling unfulfilled promises is another capital sin, with lazy thinking responsible for finding oneself remaining well short of the finish line.

Global Health Action

The capital sin identified here is that stakeholders are motivated to 'follow the money', subverting medical and public health practice, academic research agendas, incentives for intervention, and selection of markets (11).

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Seven deadly sins, also called seven capital sins or seven cardinal sins, in Roman Catholic theology, the seven vices that spur other sins and further immoral behaviour.

Britannica

These are capital sins in the sense that they engender serious misdeeds and careless misdemeanors, and necessitate a change of heart.

Global Health Action

Such emissaries are drawn to the city's vast and growing ethnic populations, to its reputation as a salvation-needy capital of sin, to its status as a major metropolis.

The New York Times

In 1950 he became a Broadway immortal with the Tony Award-winninGuysuys and Dolls," his show about gamblers and molls out of Damon Runyon's New York, the plot hinging on a sucker bet: daring a high roller to take a Salvation Army "doll" to Havana, capital of sin, for a one-night stand.

The New York Times - Books

By virtue of a Hindu belief that killing of a brahmin (Bramhatya) was a sin, capital punishment was not applicable to them.

Wikipedia

Sin is sin.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capital sin" when referring to severe transgressions within a religious or moral framework, particularly when emphasizing its role as a root cause of other sins.

Common error

Avoid using "capital sin" in purely secular contexts where its religious undertones are inappropriate. Opt for alternatives like "serious offense" or "major transgression" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital sin" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is used in a religious or moral context to denote a serious sin.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capital sin" is a noun phrase used to describe a grave sin that leads to other sins, predominantly in religious or moral contexts. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, reflecting its formal register. For secular contexts, alternatives such as "serious offense" might be more appropriate. When aiming for clarity and precision, particularly when discussing religious themes, "capital sin" remains a useful and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadly sin

This alternative is a more common synonym, often used interchangeably with "capital sin" to denote a grave sin.

mortal sin

This phrase is another synonym, specifically used in Catholic theology to describe a sin that separates one from God's grace.

cardinal sin

This term emphasizes the sin's role as a root of other sins, similar to "capital sin".

grave sin

This alternative is a more general term for a serious transgression, lacking the specific theological connotations.

grievous sin

Similar to "grave sin", this phrase highlights the severity and offensiveness of the sin.

unforgivable sin

This alternative emphasizes the impossibility of being forgiven, a more severe concept.

heinous crime

This phrase shifts the context to a legal or moral violation, broadening the application beyond religious sins.

major transgression

A less formal alternative, suitable for secular contexts, indicating a significant breach of rules or norms.

serious offense

This term is even more general, referring to any act that causes significant harm or violates principles.

fundamental flaw

This metaphorical extension applies the concept to character or system weaknesses, rather than specific actions.

FAQs

What does "capital sin" mean?

A "capital sin" refers to a grave sin that is considered the root of other sins, primarily within Catholic theology, and is also known as "deadly sin" or "mortal sin".

When is it appropriate to use the term "capital sin"?

The term "capital sin" is most appropriate when discussing religious or moral concepts, particularly in the context of Christian theology. In more secular contexts, terms like "serious offense" or "major transgression" may be more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "capital sin"?

Synonyms for "capital sin" include "deadly sin", "mortal sin", and "cardinal sin". These terms are often used interchangeably, especially in religious contexts.

Is "capital sin" different from "sin"?

Yes, while all capital sins are sins, not all sins are capital. A "capital sin" denotes a particularly grave and fundamental sin that leads to other sinful behaviors, distinguishing it from lesser or venial sins.