contraventions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contraventions" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to violations or breaches of laws, regulations, or rules. Example: "The company faced several contraventions of environmental regulations, leading to hefty fines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Contraventions are minor offenses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Classifications distinguishing offenses of greater dangerousness from lesser crimes appear in continental European codes: thus, the French penal code distinguishes between délits and contraventions (see crime, délit, and contravention).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The London Borough of Barnet applies this system, charging full penalties of between £60 and £110 for parking misdemeanours and £130 for bus lane contraventions.

Independent

One landlord in Wolverhampton was fined only £2,600 after letting out a house with 11 serious contraventions, such as no electricity and no water.

Independent

The bill would have brought back building industry-specific provisions relating to unlawful action and coercion and restore higher penalties for contraventions.

The Guardian

"The alleged contraventions relate to false claims by Ms Gibson and her company concerning her diagnosis with terminal brain cancer, her rejection of conventional cancer treatments in favour of natural remedies and the donation of proceeds to various charities," the justice department said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

At one time, a hybrid category of self-regulatory crimes existed, délits-contraventions, which included such offenses as alcoholism, gambling, and breaches of health laws that carried penalties of more than one year's imprisonment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contraventions" in formal or legal writing when referring to breaches of rules, laws, or regulations. It adds a level of precision suitable for such contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "contraventions" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler terms like "violations" or "breaches" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Contraventions" functions primarily as a noun, referring to instances or acts of violating a law, regulation, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe instances where rules have been broken. Examples from the provided data illustrate its usage in contexts ranging from parking misdemeanors to breaches of international law.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contraventions" is a noun referring to instances of violating laws, regulations, or rules. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in formal contexts. Predominantly found in news, business, and encyclopedia sources, it serves the purpose of identifying and categorizing non-compliance, often implying consequences. While grammatically sound, "contraventions" is best reserved for formal writing, with simpler terms like "violations" suitable for informal settings. The related phrases like "violations", "breaches", and "infringements" provide alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violations

Refers to the act of breaking a law or rule; a direct synonym, often used interchangeably with "contraventions".

breaches

Similar to violations, implying a failure to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

infringements

Indicates the act of breaking the terms of a law, agreement, etc., often related to rights or patents.

transgressions

Suggests a violation of a moral or religious law; carries a slightly stronger connotation of wrongdoing.

offenses

General term for any violation of law, rule, or moral code.

infractions

Minor violations of a rule or law, often implying a less severe consequence.

delicts

A formal or legal term for offenses, often used in civil law contexts.

lapses

Suggests a temporary failure of judgment or moral standards, leading to a violation.

failures to comply

Emphasizes the lack of adherence to specific regulations or requirements.

non-compliance

Highlights the state of not conforming to rules, standards, or laws.

FAQs

How is "contraventions" typically used in legal contexts?

"Contraventions" are often cited when discussing violations of specific laws, regulations, or contractual obligations, leading to penalties or legal action.

What are some common synonyms for "contraventions"?

Common synonyms include "violations", "breaches", and "infringements", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is "contraventions" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "contraventions" is generally considered too formal for informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "violations" are usually preferred.

What's the difference between "contraventions" and "infractions"?

"Infractions" typically refer to minor violations, while "contraventions" can encompass more serious breaches of laws or regulations. Therefore, "infractions" are usually considered less severe.