grave charges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave charges" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to serious accusations or allegations. Example: The politician was facing grave charges of corruption and misuse of public funds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

These are grave charges.

The Guardian

While Mr. Basicano faced grave charges, the judge wrote, he already had been convicted of murder.

The New York Times

But our investigation shows that he has a compelling case to answer on a string of grave charges.

The Economist

"The grave charges against Jason that Iran has now disclosed could not be more ludicrous," he said.

The Guardian

Upon being sworn in as president, Mr. Kenyatta would become the second current African head of state — not the second ever — to face grave charges before the court.

The New York Times

The hearing was his opportunity to enter a plea on the grave charges he faces, including genocide, persecution, deportation and other atrocities of the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He was also reputed to be an atheist with a penchant for blasphemy -- a grave charge in 16th-century England.

The New York Times

Hunt levelled a grave charge at Labour: that it oversaw a systematic cover-up of NHS failures.

The Guardian

Witness what has been happening to Ibrahim Yazdi, the leader of the Freedom Movement, who was arrested on December 14th on the grave charge of insulting "sacred religious values".

The Economist

Fernando's death at Fez in 1443 seems to have been felt by Henry as a grave charge upon his conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, thematically and emotionally, the novel suggests that a grave charge will be leveled at Isak, a move the novel also resists, elides and elegantly avoids.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "grave charges" to emphasize the serious nature and potential consequences of accusations against an individual or entity. This framing helps convey the weight and importance of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "grave charges" in informal or trivial situations. The phrase is best reserved for contexts where the accusations carry significant legal, ethical, or moral weight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave charges" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to serious accusations that carry significant consequences, as Ludwig shows with various real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave charges" is a noun phrase used to describe serious and consequential accusations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and typically employed in formal contexts like news reports and legal discussions to underscore the gravity of the situation. While alternatives like "serious allegations" or "weighty indictments" exist, "grave charges" specifically emphasizes the weight and potential ramifications of the accusations. Be mindful to reserve this phrase for situations deserving such gravity, avoiding overuse in casual settings. This will ensure that when you do use "grave charges", it carries the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious allegations

Replaces 'charges' with 'allegations', emphasizing the unproven nature of the accusations.

severe accusations

Substitutes 'grave' with 'severe', highlighting the intensity of the accusations.

weighty indictments

Uses 'weighty' and 'indictments' to suggest the significant impact and formal nature of the charges.

critical accusations

Replaces 'grave' with 'critical', underlining the importance and potential consequences of the accusations.

dire allegations

Substitutes 'grave' with 'dire' and 'charges' with 'allegations', emphasizing the alarming nature of the accusations.

substantial accusations

Focuses on the considerable basis or evidence supporting the accusations.

major accusations

Highlights the importance of the accusations by using the word 'major'.

criminal accusations

Specifies the accusations are related to criminal activity.

significant allegations

Indicates that the allegations are noteworthy and important.

formidable charges

Emphasizes the challenging and serious nature of the charges faced.

FAQs

How can I use "grave charges" in a sentence?

You can use "grave charges" to describe serious accusations, such as "The defendant faced "grave charges" of fraud and conspiracy" or "The journalist investigated the "grave charges" against the CEO".

What are some alternatives to "grave charges"?

Alternatives to "grave charges" include "serious allegations", "severe accusations", or "weighty indictments", each emphasizing the severity and impact of the accusations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "grave charges"?

It's appropriate to use "grave charges" when describing serious accusations with significant legal, ethical, or moral implications, such as in cases of criminal wrongdoing, professional misconduct, or human rights violations. Avoid using it in less serious or trivial situations.

What is the difference between "grave charges" and "serious allegations"?

While both phrases denote significant accusations, "grave charges" often implies a more formal or legal context, whereas "serious allegations" can be used more broadly to describe unproven accusations with potentially severe consequences.