committed a violation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed a violation" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a breach of rules, laws, or regulations. Example: The company was fined $10,000 for committing a violation of environmental regulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Unfortunately for you, you committed a violation of federal law".

The New York Times

"Most people who committed the violations weren't even aware they committed a violation," Sergeant Pronti said.

The New York Times

Some violations are indeed violations: a guy knows that he committed a violation.

The New York Times - Sports

Ball seemed to have mastered the form of affable confrontation: as soon as she saw someone perpetrating a civic peccadillo, she would stride up and calmly, grinningly ask, "Are you aware that you have just committed a violation?" Reactions varied.

The New Yorker

In addition, this remedy was extended to those no longer affiliated with the financial industry but who committed a violation while associated with a firm regulated by the S.E.C.

The New York Times

Then, when Pressel thought Munoz had committed a violation by touching the line of her birdie putt on the 15th hole, the L.P.G.A. did not have video or other evidence to deliver Munoz her own loss-of-hole penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"While we agree with the NCAA that we did not commit a violation, that does not diminish our commitment to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student athletes.

Huffington Post

If the Mets had access to those reports, they would have been committing a violation.

The New York Times - Sports

I said I was never notified of it and unaware of committing a violation.

The New York Times

"When they commit a violation, it's like a waiting game," he said of the parolees he often faces.

The New York Times

"Once you stop a person and accuse them of committing a violation, you can look for a reason to ask them for papers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, replace "committed a violation" with a more precise term that specifies the type of violation, such as "breached contract", "infringed copyright", or "violated policy".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "committed a violation" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler phrasing like "broke the rules" or "did something wrong" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed a violation" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action of performing an act that contravenes a rule, law, or standard. Ludwig shows it's often used to assign blame or liability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "committed a violation" is a grammatically correct and reasonably common way to describe the act of breaking a rule, law, or standard. Ludwig AI validates this. While the phrase is generally suitable for neutral to professional contexts, more specific language is often preferable for clarity, especially in formal writing. Consider using synonyms like "perpetrated an infraction" or specifying the type of violation for added precision. While "committed a violation" is unlikely to be misused, be mindful of its register and whether it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrated an infraction

Replaces "committed" with a more formal synonym "perpetrated" and "violation" with "infraction", suggesting a formal or legal context.

carried out an infringement

Substitutes "committed" with "carried out" and "violation" with "infringement", implying an action that violates a rule or law.

contravened the regulations

Employs "contravened" to replace "committed a violation", emphasizing a breach of specific regulations.

infringed upon the guidelines

Similar to "contravened the regulations" but focuses on general guidelines rather than strict regulations.

engaged in misconduct

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term, "misconduct", which refers to improper behavior.

transgressed against the rules

Uses "transgressed against" to convey a similar meaning as "committed a violation", with a focus on breaking rules.

was in breach of conduct

Replaces "committed" with "was in breach", signaling a failure to adhere to expected standards.

broke the law

Simplifies the phrase to a common expression indicating a violation of legal statutes.

erred against policy

Uses "erred against" to mean making a mistake that violates an established policy.

defied the protocol

Indicates a deliberate act of disobedience against a set protocol or procedure.

FAQs

How can I use "committed a violation" in a sentence?

You can use "committed a violation" to describe an action that breaks a rule, law, or agreement. For example, "The company was fined after it "committed a violation" of environmental regulations".

What are some formal alternatives to "committed a violation"?

Formal alternatives include "perpetrated an infraction", "contravened the regulations", or "was in breach of conduct". These alternatives may be more appropriate in legal or official contexts.

Is it always necessary to specify the type of violation after saying "committed a violation"?

While not always necessary, specifying the type of violation provides clarity and context. For instance, instead of just saying ""committed a violation"", you could say "committed a traffic violation" or "committed a data privacy violation".

What's the difference between "committed a violation" and "made a mistake"?

"Committed a violation" typically implies a deliberate or knowing breach of rules or laws, whereas "made a mistake" suggests an unintentional error. The former carries a stronger connotation of wrongdoing.