commit an offense

USAGE SUMMARY

"commit an offense" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to breaking a law or code of conduct, or to refer to a person who has broken a law or code of conduct. For example: "He was arrested and charged with committing an offense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"You're not saying these people didn't commit an offense.

The New York Times

"We have to understand: Did the Prosecutor General's children commit an offense or not?

The New Yorker

"Conduct merely affording a person an opportunity to commit an offense does not constitute entrapment," the law states.

The New York Times

Although we cannot do anything about decreasing a person's desire to commit a crime, maybe your presence will decrease the person's opportunity to commit an offense".

The New Yorker

"We had no armed robbery for four months," he said, adding that robbers from neighboring Kaduna State had recently slipped into Zamfara to commit an offense.

The New York Times

Freedom of speech is also under attack because of an ambiguous — and Orwellian — article in Bill 78 that says, "Anyone who helps or induces a person to commit an offense under this Act is guilty of the same offense".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He has denied committing an offense.

The New York Times - Sports

ESFANDIAR RAHIM MASHAEI: Vandalism is not only about committing an offense by yourself.

The New Yorker

The Carabinieri, the Italian paramilitary police, charged Rios with committing an offense against public officials.

The New York Times - Sports

"We totally refute any charges that we have committed an offense and we will defend our position robustly," they said.

The New York Times

The joyful throngs in Diyarbakir last week were technically committing an offense by waving the Kurdish flag and banners of Ocalan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or ethical breaches, use "commit an offense" to maintain a formal and objective tone. This phrase is widely understood and accepted in legal and journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid confusing "offense" with "defence". "Offense" refers to the act of breaking a law or rule, while "defence" refers to the act of protecting or justifying oneself. Ensure you're using the correct term based on the context of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit an offense" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of performing an illegal or unethical act. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common phrase for describing violations of laws or codes of conduct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commit an offense" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe the act of breaking a law or rule. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and encyclopedia contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you're aiming for clarity and objectivity, particularly in legal or formal writing. Consider alternatives like "perpetrate a crime" or "break the law" depending on the specific context and desired tone. Overall, "commit an offense" is a useful and well-understood phrase for clearly stating the violation of a rule or law.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit a violation

This alternative uses "violation" instead of "offense", which can be applicable in various contexts, including rules, agreements, or laws.

perpetrate a crime

This alternative replaces "offense" with the more serious "crime" and "commit" with "perpetrate", suggesting a more deliberate and harmful action.

break the law

This is a more general way to say "commit an offense", focusing on the violation of legal rules.

violate a regulation

This alternative is used when the offense involves breaking specific rules or regulations, often in a business or professional context.

behave unlawfully

Focuses on the manner of behaving, specifically in an unlawful way.

engage in wrongdoing

This is a broader term that encompasses any kind of unethical or illegal behavior, not just formal offenses.

be culpable

Highlights the guilt or blameworthiness associated with committing an offense.

transgress

This term is a more formal and somewhat archaic way to say "commit an offense", implying a violation of moral or legal boundaries.

incur legal liability

This phrase emphasizes the legal consequences of committing an offense.

do wrong

A simple and general way to refer to committing an offense, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

What does it mean to "commit an offense"?

To "commit an offense" means to perform an action that violates a law, rule, or code of conduct. The severity of the offense can range from minor infractions to serious crimes.

What are some synonyms for "commit an offense"?

Some synonyms for "commit an offense" include "perpetrate a crime", "break the law", and "violate a regulation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "commit an offense" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "commit an offense" is a formal way to describe the act of breaking the law. It's often used in indictments, legal documents, and court proceedings to clearly define the alleged wrongdoing.

Is there a difference between "commit an offense" and "committing an offense"?

"Commit an offense" is the infinitive form, often used in general statements or instructions. "Committing an offense" is the gerund form, used to describe an ongoing or specific instance of the act.