grave offence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave offence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious wrongdoing or violation of rules or ethics. Example: "The committee deemed his actions a grave offence that warranted immediate disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Remember that it is gravely wrong to receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin (grave offence against the law of God) on your soul.

WikiHow

Grave offence and upset is given to Party stalwarts.

Independent

Those who fraudulently interfere are committing a most grave offence against the body politic.

The Guardian

Klopp took grave offence ("Sammer should thank God every day that Bayern took him") but he wasn't the intended target.

The Guardian - Sport

At the risk of causing the great man grave offence, he can sound alarmingly like a Liberal Democrat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tory MP Conor Burns told the Sunday Times that the story represented a grave offence to the victims of the IRA.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Another of Abu al-Khair's grave offences was "making international organisations hostile to the kingdom".

Independent

While the remain side can fairly be accused of overstating its case, the leave side is guilty of a graver offence: wilfully misrepresenting its agenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour, one of whose MPs is responsible for what is perhaps the gravest offence (Elliot Morley claimed £16,000 for a mortgage he had already paid and was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party on May 14th), looks the worst, by a bit.

The Economist

It was bad enough that Quayle didn't know how to spell potato, yet his graver offence was amending the efforts of someone who did – an act that seemed a symptom of a larger misplaced confidence.

The Guardian - Books

The gravest offence, in Lord Irvine's eyes, was to call into question Britain's solemn commitments on human rights, notably those made after the second world war in the European convention on human rights (ECHR).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave offence", consider the specific context to ensure the severity of the phrase aligns with the actual wrongdoing. It's best suited for situations involving significant ethical or legal violations.

Common error

Avoid using "grave offence" to describe trivial matters. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for truly serious violations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave offence" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a serious wrongdoing or violation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a significant breach of rules, ethics, or laws. Examples in the data highlight its use in legal, ethical, and moral contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave offence" is a noun phrase denoting a serious wrongdoing or violation. It's considered grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase signifies a significant breach requiring serious attention. When using "grave offence", ensure the context aligns with the severity of the phrase, reserving it for situations involving significant ethical or legal violations. Alternatives include "serious transgression", "severe violation" and "major infraction". The phrase maintains a formal tone and is best used in situations requiring a high degree of seriousness and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious transgression

Replaces 'offence' with 'transgression', emphasizing the act of violating a law or moral principle; slightly more formal.

severe violation

Substitutes 'offence' with 'violation', highlighting the breach of a rule or agreement; maintains a similar level of formality.

major infraction

Replaces "grave offence" with "major infraction", which may be suitable in contexts where a rule or regulation has been broken.

grievous violation

Emphasizes the harm caused by the violation, making it a more emotionally charged alternative.

egregious act

Focuses on the shocking or conspicuously bad nature of the act, adding a stronger sense of disapproval.

serious misconduct

Replaces "grave offence" with "serious misconduct" focusing on improper behavior. Suitable in professional or ethical contexts.

substantial wrongdoing

Highlights the immoral or illegal nature of the action, suitable for formal contexts.

flagrant violation

Emphasizes the blatant and obvious nature of the violation, suggesting a deliberate disregard for rules.

heinous crime

Replaces "grave offence" with "heinous crime" which suggests an utterly reprehensible act, often associated with serious legal consequences.

atrocious deed

Focuses on the cruel or wicked nature of the act, adding a strong moral judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "grave offence" to describe a serious transgression or wrongdoing. For example, "The committee considered his actions a "grave offence" and recommended disciplinary action."

What phrases can I use instead of "grave offence"?

Alternatives include "serious transgression", "severe violation", or "major infraction", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "grave offence" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "grave offence" is generally better suited for formal or serious contexts due to its weight and severity. In informal situations, consider using less intense alternatives.

What is the difference between "grave offence" and "serious mistake"?

"Grave offence" implies a deliberate wrongdoing or violation, while "serious mistake" suggests an unintentional error. The former carries a stronger connotation of culpability.