grave accusation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave accusation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a serious or severe allegation made against someone. Example: "The politician faced a grave accusation of corruption that could jeopardize his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Yet Bate exonerates Hughes of the grave accusation of abandoning Plath completely.

Independent

Next, the AME, an association of retired military personnel, which insisted that "any flicker of secession to be suppressed": those calling for it "will have to respond with all rigour to the grave accusation of high treason under the jurisdiction of military tribunals".

BBC

This is a grave accusation in Thailand due to the lengthy prison term it carries.

Huffington Post

Why did Boston PD make this grave accusation against Mr. Miller -- a year-round resident of Miami, Fla.? They cited him solely for the act of publishing the work telephone number of its own Bureau of Public Information.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"That's enough," said Mr. Hashmi, who tried some levity to accompany the grave accusations.

The New York Times

"These are false and grave accusations but there is no justification for me to make.

The Guardian - Sport

When it dawned on him that snide flippancy was the wrong response to grave accusations of police brutality, he said he was sorry for his "off-collar comment".

The New York Times

NEW YORKERS have heard a stream of grave accusations this week that our governor tried to obstruct a domestic assault case against his aide David Johnson.

The New York Times

When Sayedee was eventually charged, he was again denied access to a lawyer and forced to enter immediate pleas to a series of grave accusations with little precision over place or time.

The New York Times

We've contacted the company and are anxiously awaiting their response to Mocality's grave accusations.

TechCrunch

But his behavior in this scuffle has betrayed the standard of decency that must be necessitated by such grave accusations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave accusation", ensure the context reflects the seriousness of the allegation. It's suitable for formal contexts like legal or political discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "grave accusation" in informal settings where a simpler term like "serious claim" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave accusation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a serious allegation. The adjective "grave" modifies the noun "accusation", emphasizing the weighty nature of the charge.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave accusation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a serious allegation, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it carries a formal tone. While not frequently used, when employed, it serves to emphasize the weight and potential consequences of the accusation. Alternatives such as "serious allegation" or "severe charge" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality and context. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the seriousness of the charge needs to be clearly conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious allegation

Replaces "grave" with a more common synonym, maintaining the seriousness of the charge.

severe charge

Substitutes both words with alternatives that emphasize the weighty nature of the accusation.

weighty allegation

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of the accusation.

critical accusation

Highlights the potential turning point in the situation resulting from the accusation.

major indictment

Implies a formal accusation with significant legal ramifications.

substantial allegation

Indicates the accusation is based on considerable evidence or has significant impact.

terrible accusation

Highlights the negative impact of the accusation on the accused.

significant charge

Highlights that the accusation is worthy of attention.

grievous allegation

Accusation that has caused deep pain or suffering.

dire accusation

Expresses that the accusation can have extremely serious or terrible consequences.

FAQs

What is a "grave accusation"?

A "grave accusation" is a serious and weighty allegation, implying significant consequences for the accused. It's a formal way of describing a severe charge.

What can I say instead of "grave accusation"?

You can use alternatives like "serious allegation", "severe charge", or "weighty allegation" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "grave accusation"?

Use "grave accusation" in formal contexts, such as legal proceedings, news reports, or official statements, where the seriousness of the allegation needs to be emphasized.

Is there a difference between a "grave accusation" and a "serious accusation"?

While similar, a "grave accusation" implies a higher degree of severity and potential consequences than a "serious accusation". "Grave" adds more weight and formality.