commit foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commit foul" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used in sports contexts or legal contexts to refer to breaking a rule or engaging in misconduct. Example: The player was immediately ejected from the game for committing a foul against his opponent. Other examples: - The referee gave a warning to the team for repeatedly committing fouls on the field. - The company was fined for committing multiple environmental fouls. - The politician's opponents accused him of committing foul play during the election.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If teams are going to commit foul play, they're going to be yellow carded," said Hansen.

The New York Times - Sports

The masks were all to do with phrenology, to see if the shape of criminals' skulls is linked to their propensity to commit foul deeds.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Technical players are punished, and those who always commit fouls aren't.

The New York Times - Sports

It is also true, however, that if others commit fouls, they pass unnoticed".

Independent

The rule sees players who commit fouls, like dragging down opponents, having to be substituted.

BBC

"Mr Marler accepted that he had committed foul play.

The Guardian - Sport

Nicolás Otamendi, meanwhile, was a disaster at right-back, committing foul after foul in threatening positions.

The Guardian - Sport

Family and friends say there is nothing in their personalities or past to suggest they would have committed foul play.

Huffington Post

I think both sides committed fouls.

The New York Times - Sports

In Europe, Turkish teams have a reputation of playing a rough, physical game, regularly committing fouls and receiving yellow cards.

The New York Times - Sports

Time and again, Southgate has spoken to his players about the importance of not committing fouls in dangerous areas.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commit foul", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific rules or standards being violated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "commit foul" in contexts where the term "foul" is not readily understood as a violation, such as in abstract ethical debates. Opt for more general terms like "commit a violation" or "engage in misconduct".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit foul" functions as a verb phrase, where "commit" is the main verb indicating the action of performing or perpetrating, and "foul" acts as the direct object, specifying what is being committed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates breaking a rule.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit foul" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of violating a rule, particularly in sports or regulated activities. Although Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's important to consider its relatively rare usage. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the violated rules to avoid ambiguity, and consider using more common alternatives like "commit a violation" in non-sporting scenarios. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki, reflecting its association with reporting on events where rule infractions occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit a violation

Generic term for breaking a rule or law.

break the rules

Focuses on the violation of established rules.

violate regulations

Emphasizes a breach of formal regulations.

infringe the law

Highlights the legal aspect of the violation.

transgress standards

Indicates exceeding acceptable boundaries of behavior.

engage in misconduct

Broader term referring to inappropriate behavior.

perform an illegal act

Highlights the illegality of the action.

act improperly

Refers to a deviation from proper conduct.

err in judgment

Focuses on making a mistake in decision-making that leads to a foul.

be at fault

Emphasizes responsibility for an error or transgression.

FAQs

How can I use "commit foul" in a sentence?

You can use "commit foul" to describe actions that violate rules in sports, games, or other regulated activities. For example: "The player was penalized for committing a foul during the game".

What can I say instead of "commit foul"?

You can use alternatives like "commit a violation", "break the rules", or "engage in misconduct" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "commit foul" or "make foul"?

"Commit foul" is the more common and grammatically appropriate choice. While "make foul" might be understood, it is not standard usage.

What's the difference between "commit foul" and "commit a crime"?

"Commit foul" typically refers to violations of rules in a game or regulated activity, while "commit a crime" refers to breaking the law. The former is usually less severe than the latter.