committed an offence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed an offence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has violated a law or regulation. Example: "The defendant was found guilty of having committed an offence related to fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If an institution has committed an offence, a settlement mitigates the risks of harsher penalties.

The Economist

In order words, you haven't committed an offence unless of course you've committed the offence, in which case I'm afraid you've committed an offence.

The Guardian

Morley said he did not believe he had committed an offence.

The Guardian

While detectives have suspicions about him, they have no evidence that he committed an offence.

The Guardian

"It can be difficult sometimes to pinpoint who has committed an offence".

The Guardian

Were there really "reasonable grounds" for suspecting that the person could have committed an offence?

The Guardian

"You are not under criminal investigation and are not under arrest on suspicion of having committed an offence.

Independent

Dyson said: "The retention by the police of photographs taken of persons who have not committed an offence, and who are not even suspected of having committed an offence, is always a serious matter.

The Guardian

If there is a suggestion that you have committed an offence it would be wise to give your details.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new powers allow border guards to stop travellers without suspicion that they have committed an offence.

The Guardian

We totally refute any charges that we have committed an offence and we will defend our position robustly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In news reports, "committed an offence" provides an objective way to describe someone's actions without implying guilt before a conviction.

Common error

Ensure you're using "offence" (a violation) and not "defense" (an argument against accusation). Using the wrong word can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed an offence" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the action of perpetrating a violation of the law. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "committed an offence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a violation of the law, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It finds frequent application in news reporting, formal business communication, and legal documentation. While alternatives such as "perpetrated a crime" or "broke the law" exist, "committed an offence" offers a level of formality suitable for professional and neutral contexts. Remember to differentiate between "offence" and "defense" to avoid confusion. Whether you are writing a news report or a legal document, using this phrase accurately conveys the act of breaking a rule or law.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrated a crime

Replaces "offence" with the more general term "crime", indicating a serious violation of the law.

broke the law

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone violated a legal statute.

violated a regulation

Focuses on the breach of specific rules or guidelines, often within a particular industry or organization.

transgressed the rules

Implies a more general violation of established norms or codes of conduct.

infringed the law

Emphasizes the encroachment upon or violation of a legal right or statute.

carried out an infraction

Highlights a minor violation or breach of rules.

was culpable of wrongdoing

Highlights accountability and the nature of the wrong action.

engaged in unlawful behavior

Describes the action using a broader sense of illegal conduct.

was guilty of misconduct

Focuses on improper or unprofessional behavior, which may or may not be strictly illegal.

acted illegally

Simple replacement of the phrase with direct statement of the nature of the action.

FAQs

How to use "committed an offence" in a sentence?

Use "committed an offence" to indicate that someone has broken a law or rule. For example: "The suspect was arrested for having "committed an offence" related to theft."

What can I say instead of "committed an offence"?

You can use alternatives such as "perpetrated a crime", "broke the law", or "violated a regulation" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "committed an offence" or "committed an offense"?

"Committed an offence" is the standard spelling in British English, while "committed an offense" is the standard spelling in American English. Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the intended audience.

What's the difference between "committed an offence" and "allegedly committed an offence"?

"Committed an offence" implies that it has been proven or admitted that someone broke the law. "Allegedly committed an offence" means that someone is accused of breaking the law, but it has not been proven.