grave abuses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave abuses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe serious or severe misconduct or violations, often in a legal or ethical context. Example: "The investigation revealed grave abuses of power within the organization that could not be overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A recent UN report has detailed decades of grave abuses.

The Guardian

If an absolute line is not drawn to protect the embryo, many grave abuses may follow.

The New York Times - Science

Those grave abuses are an indelible part of our human rights legacy, even if they primarily occurred at Guantánamo and other overseas sites.

The New York Times

The UN council put the issue on the agenda after voting to overrule China's objections and add alleged grave abuses to the topics in the meeting.

Independent

Ms Pillay, along with many human-rights groups, argues that the statute of limitations does not apply to such grave abuses.

The Economist

He said the Security Council should urgently strengthen the capacity of the African Union force "to protect civilians and sanction individuals responsible for grave abuses, including Seleka leaders".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

That was a grave abuse, which undermined American democracy.

The New York Times

Nadir, who now runs a media firm in the Turkish-controlled territory, will argue that there was a grave abuse of process in the case brought against him by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

The Guardian - Business

The Supreme Court let the execution proceed on the grounds that all appeals had been exhausted, calling the effort by Judge Fletcher and her colleagues to reopen the matter "a grave abuse of discretion".

The New York Times

The company's current chairman, Pat Molloy, said the board was "astonished" at the findings, condemned the tax-dodging and said Mr. Traynor had committed "a grave abuse of trust".

The New York Times

"Mr Stalker could not possibly have known that they possessed the very evidence he was seeking and to have frustrated his efforts in this way is nothing less than a grave abuse of their unique position".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing human rights issues or legal matters, use "grave abuses" to underscore the severity and significance of the violations. This phrase carries more weight than simply saying "bad things happened."

Common error

Avoid using "grave abuses" to describe trivial or minor wrongdoings. This phrase is reserved for serious violations of human rights, ethical standards, or legal principles. Using it inappropriately diminishes its impact and can be perceived as hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave abuses" functions as a noun phrase, where "grave" modifies the noun "abuses". It serves to emphasize the severity and seriousness of the abuses in question. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and often found in discussions of human rights or legal matters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave abuses" is a powerful descriptor used to denote serious misconduct or violations. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of severity and is often used in discussions surrounding human rights, legal matters, and ethical breaches. While its use is generally acceptable, it's crucial to reserve it for contexts where the violations are genuinely serious, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives such as "serious violations" or "severe misconduct" can be used to add nuance or vary expression. Given its authoritative usage and clear communicative purpose, "grave abuses" remains a valuable term for highlighting significant wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious violations

Focuses on the act of breaking rules or laws in a severe manner.

severe misconduct

Emphasizes improper behavior, especially in a professional context.

egregious transgressions

Highlights the shocking and outrageous nature of the wrongful acts.

atrocious maltreatment

Specifically refers to cruel and violent treatment.

grievous offenses

Stresses the deeply harmful and regrettable nature of the actions.

flagrant dereliction

Highlights a conspicuous failure to fulfill one's duty or responsibility.

heinous acts

Emphasizes the wickedness and depravity of the actions.

extreme exploitation

Focuses on taking unfair advantage of someone or something.

appalling injustices

Highlights the shocking and unfair nature of the wrongs.

shocking maltreatment

Underscores how disturbing the ill-treatment is.

FAQs

How to use "grave abuses" in a sentence?

You can use "grave abuses" to describe serious violations of human rights, ethical standards, or legal principles. For example, "The report detailed "grave human rights abuses" on both sides of the conflict".

What can I say instead of "grave abuses"?

You can use alternatives like "serious violations", "severe misconduct", or "egregious transgressions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "grave abuses" or "graver abuses"?

"Grave abuses" refers to serious misconduct in general. "Grave abuses" implies a comparison, suggesting that the abuses in question are more serious than others.

What's the difference between "grave abuses" and "human rights violations"?

"Grave abuses" is a broader term that can refer to various types of serious misconduct, while "human rights violations" specifically refers to actions that violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals as defined by international law.