grave delicts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave delicts" is correct and usable in written English, particularly in legal contexts.
It can be used to refer to serious offenses or crimes, often in discussions about law or morality. Example: "The court found the defendant guilty of grave delicts that warranted a lengthy prison sentence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In July, the Vatican made revisions to internal laws to include the attempted ordination of women among its "more grave delicts," or offenses, making it comparable to heresy, apostasy and pedophilia.

The New York Times

But what astonished many Catholics was the inclusion of the attempt to ordain women in a list of the "more grave delicts," or offenses, which included pedophilia, as well as heresy, apostasy and schism.

The New York Times

"Sexual abuse and pornography are more grave delicts, they are an egregious violation of moral law," Monsignor Scicluna said in his first public appearance since the sex abuse crisis hit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I am a Catholic woman who is deeply wounded by the recent Vatican document that chose to compare the "grave delict" of the ordination of women to pedophilic priests.

The New York Times

Wodehouse's grave!

The Economist

The grave.

The New Yorker

How grave is too grave?

The New York Times - Magazine

He looked grave.

The New Yorker

Stephen's grave.

The New York Times

My father's grave.

The New Yorker

Before the Grave Q.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave delicts", ensure the context is formal or legal, as the phrase carries a significant weight and is not suitable for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "grave delicts" in everyday discussions or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "serious offenses" or "major crimes" for broader applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave delicts" functions as a noun phrase that specifies a category of severe wrongdoings or offenses. Based on examples from Ludwig, this phrase is often used in legal or religious contexts to denote acts that are considered extremely serious violations of established rules or moral principles.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave delicts" is a formal phrase used to describe serious offenses or wrongdoings, often in legal or religious contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct but less common than simpler alternatives like "serious offenses". Its primary function is to categorize and emphasize the severity of actions, typically in formal or scientific registers. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if "grave delicts" is the most appropriate choice, or if a more accessible term would be preferable. Though accurate, "grave delicts" could come across as stilted in a non-formal environment. You can use alternatives like "serious offenses" or "major crimes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious offenses

Replaces "grave delicts" with a more common and straightforward term.

major crimes

Focuses on the criminal aspect, implying legally punishable acts.

heinous crimes

Emphasizes the shocking and morally reprehensible nature of the crimes.

severe transgressions

Highlights the violation of rules or moral boundaries.

grievous offenses

Maintains a formal tone while emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses.

serious wrongdoings

A broader term encompassing unethical or illegal actions.

major infractions

Suggests a violation of rules or regulations, often in a specific context.

substantial violations

Emphasizes the extent and impact of the violations.

egregious delicts

Replaces "grave" with a synonym that also indicates exceptional badness.

severe misdeeds

Highlights the negative and often immoral nature of the actions.

FAQs

What does "grave delicts" mean?

"Grave delicts" refers to serious offenses or crimes, particularly in a legal or moral context. It signifies actions that are considered severely wrong or harmful.

How to use "grave delicts" in a sentence?

You can use "grave delicts" in sentences like, "The Vatican considers the attempted ordination of women among its '"grave delicts"'" or "The court found the defendant guilty of '"grave delicts"' that warranted a lengthy prison sentence."

What can I say instead of "grave delicts"?

You can use alternatives like "serious offenses", "major crimes", or "heinous crimes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grave delicts" a commonly used phrase?

"Grave delicts" is not as common as "serious offenses" or "major crimes". It is more frequently found in formal or legal documents and discussions.