grave disservice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave disservice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that causes significant harm or detriment to someone or something. Example: "By not addressing the issue, the committee did a grave disservice to the community that relies on their support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be a grave disservice to consumers, the auto companies, the economy and the planet.

The New York Times

We would not be doing them a grave disservice if we helped them out of it.

The Guardian - Tech

The analysis added that the report did "a grave disservice" to Mr. Ashcroft and others.

The New York Times

"The factual errors and innuendoes in his book do a grave disservice to a great scientist and to science itself".

The New York Times

To mention Mill in the same breath as Grayling, however, is to do a great liberal a grave disservice.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Conservatives will do a grave disservice to this process if they don't make a similar effort.

The Guardian

It is a grave disservice to the people of Zimbabwe and the region that they align themselves with despots".

The New York Times

And this attitude is a grave disservice to these beautiful children and to their families and to America.

The New York Times

"Trying to cure human diseases by relying on outdated and ineffective animal experiments isn't only cruel — it's a grave disservice to people who desperately need cures".

Independent

To the Editor: Mark Epstein's essay does a grave disservice to trauma sufferers when he says people must live with trauma.

The New York Times

Pro-business politicians who regard this vacuum of accountable control as a private matter of no wider concern are doing capitalism a grave disservice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave disservice", ensure the context clearly indicates a significant negative consequence or injustice resulting from a specific action or inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "grave disservice" for minor inconveniences. The phrase implies a serious and lasting negative impact; using it inappropriately weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave disservice" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a verb (e.g., "do a grave disservice"). It describes an action or situation that causes significant harm or injustice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grave disservice" is a well-established and frequently used expression to denote a significant harm or injustice. Ludwig AI validates that it is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in news and media suggests its relevance in conveying serious concerns. While alternative phrases exist, such as "serious injustice" or "profound disservice", the specific nuance of "grave disservice" makes it a valuable tool in expressing strong disapproval and highlighting the detrimental consequences of particular actions. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the severity of the situation to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious injustice

Replaces "disservice" with "injustice", emphasizing the unfairness of the action; "serious" maintains the gravity.

profound disservice

Substitutes "grave" with "profound", highlighting the depth and impact of the disservice.

great disservice

Uses "great" instead of "grave", slightly lessening the severity but still indicating significant harm.

severe detriment

Replaces the entire phrase with a different wording, focusing on the damaging aspect.

major injustice

Similar to "serious injustice", this emphasizes the unfairness and scale of the problem.

significant disadvantage

Focuses on the negative impact of the action, framing it as a loss of opportunity or benefit.

substantial harm

Shifts the focus directly to the harm caused, rather than the act of disservice.

grievous wrong

Replaces disservice with wrong to express serious act of injustice.

critical disadvantage

Similar to "significant disadvantage", this emphasizes the criticality and scale of the problem.

egregious error

While focusing on a mistake, it highlights the serious nature and consequences of said mistake.

FAQs

How to use "grave disservice" in a sentence?

Use "grave disservice" to describe an action that causes significant harm or unfairness, for example: "The government's decision to cut funding for education is a "grave disservice" to future generations".

What can I say instead of "grave disservice"?

You can use alternatives like "serious injustice", "profound disservice", or "great disservice" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "grave disservice" and "minor inconvenience"?

"Grave disservice" implies a serious and substantial harm or injustice, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a slight and temporary disruption or annoyance. They differ significantly in the severity of the impact.

Is "grave disservice" a formal or informal expression?

"Grave disservice" is a relatively formal expression, suitable for professional, news, and academic contexts. While understandable in informal settings, it may sound overly serious in casual conversation.