cardinal offence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cardinal offence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a serious or fundamental wrongdoing or violation, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "In the world of ethics, lying is considered a cardinal offence that undermines trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The only cardinal offence is not to report that mistake openly so that the correct lessons can be learned".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Victoria police are considering whether to charge Australia's most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, with historical child sexual abuse offences.

The Guardian

These reach as high as the number three man in the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell, sentenced to jail for historical offences by an Australian court.

The Guardian - Opinion

Australian Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty of sexual offences against children while in his first year as archbishop of Melbourne.

BBC

"Because the women... gave no indication of amendment or repentance for the most serious offence they had committed... they have incurred excommunication," Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's chief guardian of theological orthodoxy, said in a document released yesterday.

The Guardian

"This week as we begin mass our Cardinal is in jail, having been found guilty of disgraceful offences against children," Hayes said.

The Guardian

The absolute prohibition of torture is a cardinal principle of international law, and the UK has created specific offences that also cover complicity in torture, even when it happens abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

A senior Roman Catholic Cardinal has said that files documenting child sexual abuse were destroyed, allowing offences to continue.

BBC

'Burn in hell, Pell Jumpp to media player Australian Cardinal George Pell is set to appeal, after being found guilty of sexual offences in Melbourne.

BBC

Cardinal George Pell leaves @MagCourtVic committed to stand trial on charges of historical sex offences.

Huffington Post

In the diocese of Boston, Cardinal Bernard Law moved several such priests around from parish to parish, where they simply repeated their offences.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cardinal offence" when you want to emphasize the fundamental nature and severity of a mistake or violation.

Common error

Avoid using "cardinal offence" for minor infractions; reserve it for situations where the breach is significant and has far-reaching consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cardinal offence" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particularly serious or unforgivable wrong. As supported by Ludwig, it describes actions considered fundamentally unacceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cardinal offence" is a noun phrase that refers to a very serious wrongdoing or violation. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not as common as some other phrases, it's a useful expression for emphasizing the gravity of a mistake or breach. Remember to reserve it for truly significant situations to maintain its impact. Consider using alternatives like "major transgression" or "grievous error" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major transgression

Focuses on the act of crossing a boundary or limit in a significant way.

grievous error

Emphasizes the seriousness and painful consequences of the mistake.

fundamental violation

Highlights the breach of a basic principle or rule.

serious infraction

Refers to a specific instance of breaking a rule or law.

grave misconduct

Focuses on improper behavior that is morally reprehensible.

severe breach of conduct

Emphasizes the failure to adhere to expected standards of behavior.

critical wrongdoing

Stresses the significant and detrimental impact of the action.

major fault

Highlights the responsibility and blame associated with the action.

unforgivable act

Conveys that the action is so severe that it cannot be excused.

capital sin

Uses a religious term to emphasize the extreme severity of the offense.

FAQs

How to use "cardinal offence" in a sentence?

You can use "cardinal offence" to describe a serious mistake or violation, such as "In the world of ethics, lying is considered a "cardinal offence" that undermines trust."

What can I say instead of "cardinal offence"?

You can use alternatives like "major transgression", "grievous error", or "fundamental violation" depending on the context.

Is "cardinal offence" formal or informal?

"Cardinal offence" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in formal writing or speech due to its serious connotation.

What's the difference between "cardinal offence" and "minor infraction"?

"Cardinal offence" refers to a severe violation of rules or principles, whereas "minor infraction" denotes a less significant breach. The former carries a much heavier weight and implication.