contravention

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contravention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act that violates a rule or law, or an instance of this. Example sentence: The company was liable for a heavy fine due to its contravention of environmental regulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paediatrics Backed by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and UNHCR, the doctors view detention as "unsuitable for children and a contravention of human rights".

The Guardian

This article was amended on 8 August 2011 to remove a reference identifying "some of the island's wealthier families" as bearing the surnames of those from the Chueta community in contravention to the Guardian's editorial code on reflecting anti-semitic tropes.

The Guardian

Q: Isn't this a contravention of the civil service code?

The Guardian

The World Heritage Committee will take a dim view of this decision which is in direct contravention of one of its recommendations".

The Guardian

Baird said he would be urgently auditing these donations: "I have told the party's new state director, as a matter of urgency, to investigate the allegations made at ICAC and respond to them promptly – including by dealing with any payments that have been made to the party in contravention of the law," Baird said.

The Guardian

PD The Iranian club Esteghlal suspended three officials in January this year after permitting a game between their youth side and their women's team in contravention of the country's strict laws on keeping the sexes apart.

The Guardian - Sport

But AbbVie issued a formal statement on Wednesday in which it rowed back on a boast which appeared to have been made in contravention of Takeover Panel regulations.

The Guardian - Business

How to Corp's websites have now disappeared from the internet and TrafficPaymaster, which claimed to produce web pages by "spinning and scraping" content and sought to attract advertising in contravention of Google's code of conduct, is no longer on sale.

The Guardian

That deal put an end to years of bitter squabbling over subsidies to Airbus, which was starting to win sales from Boeing.The Europeans suspect the Americans of cheating on the deal by funnelling indirect subsidies to Boeing, in contravention of the agreement to limit subsidies to 30% of a project's cost.

The Economist

The judgment this week in the arms-trafficking case to Angola concerned the supply, in contravention of a United Nations arms embargo, of landmines, shells, tanks, helicopters and naval vessels to the Angolan government between 1993 and 1998, during its civil war.

The Economist

Over a dozen environmental groups are to unite with Kenya's churches to challenge the decree as a contravention of a recent environmental law, and as a denial of people's right to water.Legal experts claim that their case is so strong that it will be difficult for even Mr Moi's most grateful judges to deny.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a formal tone when using "contravention", as it is typically employed in legal, official, or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "contravention" when you mean "contradiction." "Contravention" refers to the violation of a rule or law, while "contradiction" refers to a statement that opposes another.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contravention" is as a noun, typically referring to the act of violating a law, rule, or agreement. As Ludwig AI states, it denotes an instance of non-compliance or transgression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

22%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contravention" is a noun that signifies the act of violating a rule, law, or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in formal contexts such as news reporting, legal documents, and academic writing. While alternatives like "violation" and "breach" exist, "contravention" often carries a more specific legal or regulatory connotation. When using this term, ensure clarity by specifying the exact rule or law being violated. Be mindful not to confuse it with "contradiction", which has a different meaning altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violation

Focuses more generally on the act of breaking a rule or law.

breach

Emphasizes the breaking of an agreement or trust.

infringement

Highlights the encroachment upon someone's rights or territory.

transgression

Suggests a more serious violation, often with moral or ethical implications.

noncompliance

Specifically refers to the failure to adhere to a rule or regulation.

defiance

Implies a deliberate and open resistance to authority or rules.

disregard

Emphasizes the lack of attention or respect for rules or laws.

dereliction

Focuses on the neglect of duty or responsibility.

offense

A general term for breaking the law.

lapse

Suggests a temporary failure to adhere to standards or rules.

FAQs

How to use "contravention" in a sentence?

Use "contravention" to indicate a violation or breach of a rule, law, or agreement. For example: "The company's actions were in "contravention" of environmental regulations."

What can I say instead of "contravention"?

You can use alternatives like "violation", "breach", or "infringement" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "contravention of" or "in contravention to"?

"Contravention of" is the standard and more grammatically correct usage. "In contravention to" is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "contravention" and "breach"?

While both terms indicate a violation, "contravention" often refers to violating a specific rule or law, while "breach" typically refers to breaking an agreement or trust.