contravening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contravening" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is in violation of a rule, law, or agreement. Example: "The company was found to be contravening environmental regulations, leading to significant fines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So worried was the BBC about contravening the rules that even Thought for the Day was blocked.

The Guardian

It also said that during the six months after July 2007 he started claiming expenses relating to his grace-and-favour apartment in Downing Street, meaning that there was an overlap period when he was apparently contravening parliamentary rules saying that MPs should only claim for one second property at any one time.

The Guardian

"We also find the documentary to be minimising and denying genocide, contravening domestic and international laws.

The Guardian

To the surprise of many, the Constitutional Court threw out several key provisions of the Media Law and drastically curbed the powers of the Media Council, removing its power to scrutinise print and online content for contravening human rights, human dignity and privacy.

The Economist

But he did not produce any alternative figures.One of Venezuela's main newspapers, El Nacional, responded to Mr Izarra's guffaws by devoting much of its front page to a photograph, taken last December, of bodies in the Caracas morgue.The authorities announced that they would prosecute the paper for contravening a law protecting children and young people from violent images.

The Economist

Permitted pro-Palestinian demonstrations elsewhere passed off peacefully, prompting some to say that banning the demonstrations in Paris was provocative as well as contravening the right to free speech.

The Economist

Instead, more electricity will have to be generated from coal or natural gas, which will produce more greenhouse gases, increasing global warming and also contravening the recent Kyoto protocol.

The Economist

Their response to 24-hour news, which is to minimise the risk of contravening party lines by say nothing interesting, has proved a reputational disaster.

The Economist

(The court advised that in most cases it probably was unlawful, breaking the rule of "proportionality" in a case of self-defence, and contravening humanitarian law requiring the protection of civilians in the event of use in war).

The Economist

Only a couple of dozen huntsmen have been convicted for contravening the ban, for which they mostly received small fines.Going to groundYour columnist, though he has never wanted to kill a fox, is cheered by this.

The Economist

It, too, is based on an historical event that still resonates through South Africa: the arrest in 1971 of 19 citizens of a small town in Orange Free State for contravening the Immorality Act by having sex across the colour line.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contravening" in formal and legal contexts when you want to emphasize a violation of a specific rule, law, or agreement. For less formal contexts, consider using "violating" or "breaching".

Common error

Avoid using "contravening" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler synonyms like "violating" or "disobeying" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contravening" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. It describes the action of violating or acting contrary to a law, rule, or principle. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is used correctly in formal and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contravening" is a verb used to describe the act of violating or acting against a rule, law, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in formal and legal contexts. While synonyms like "violating" and "breaching" exist, "contravening" carries a more formal tone. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, emphasizing its role in reporting on actions that conflict with established regulations. Therefore, understanding the nuances of "contravening" is essential for effective communication in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violating

This term is a direct synonym, indicating a breach of rules or laws.

breaching

Implies breaking an agreement, law, or code of conduct.

infringing

Specifically refers to violating someone's rights or intellectual property.

transgressing

Signifies going beyond the bounds of what is morally or legally acceptable.

defying

Suggests open resistance or disobedience to a rule or authority.

disobeying

A general term for not following orders or rules.

flouting

Indicates a deliberate and open disregard for rules or conventions.

contesting

Implies challenging the validity or legality of something.

opposing

Suggests actively working against a law or principle.

counteracting

This refers to taking action to neutralize or negate the effects of something, like a policy or measure.

FAQs

How to use "contravening" in a sentence?

You can use "contravening" to indicate a violation of a rule, law, or agreement. For example, "The company was found to be "contravening" environmental regulations."

What can I say instead of "contravening"?

You can use alternatives like "violating", "breaching", or "infringing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contravening" or "violating"?

Both "contravening" and "violating" are correct, but "contravening" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts, while "violating" is more general.

What's the difference between "contravening" and "infringing"?

"Contravening" generally means violating a rule or law, while "infringing" specifically means violating someone's rights or intellectual property.