grave offences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave offences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to serious or severe violations of laws or rules. Example: "The committee decided to impose strict penalties for grave offences committed by the members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

The Guardian - Books

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

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian - Sport

Some dismissed his trickery as "continental", a grave offence, and his England teammate Billy Wright called him a "pain in the neck" because he never passed.

The Guardian - Books

The French government has taken grave offence at the booing of the national anthem at football matches and French youths waving Algerian flags.

The Guardian

We realise that we caused grave offence, however unintended, which detracted from a day that marks one of the greatest evils in human history.

The Guardian

Mr Paxton attacked his opponent, Dan Branch, for having proposed in 2005 an amendment to an amendment that would have made a pending abortion law slightly less stringent a grave offence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "grave offences", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific laws, rules, or moral codes being violated. Providing concrete examples helps to illustrate the severity of the actions.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of the "grave offences" beyond what is supported by the facts. Overly dramatic language can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave offences" functions as a noun phrase, where "grave" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "offences". It describes the nature of the offences, indicating that they are serious or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave offences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe serious violations. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to emphasize the severity of the actions being discussed. While alternatives like "serious crimes" exist, "grave offences" maintains a formal tone. When writing about this, clarity and accuracy are essential to convey the seriousness without exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious crimes

Focuses on the criminal aspect, emphasizing the severity of the illegal acts.

major violations

Highlights the breach of rules or laws, stressing the significance of the transgression.

severe transgressions

Emphasizes the act of overstepping boundaries, indicating a serious departure from accepted norms.

grievous misdeeds

Adds a moral dimension, suggesting that the actions are not only wrong but also deeply reprehensible.

heinous acts

Stresses the shocking and wicked nature of the deeds.

flagrant violations

Highlights the open and obvious nature of the breaches, suggesting a brazen disregard for rules.

serious wrongdoings

Focuses on the unethical aspect, indicating actions that are significantly immoral or unjust.

major infractions

Emphasizes the breaking of specific rules or regulations, denoting a significant breach.

critical violations

Highlights the importance of the rules breached, stressing the potential consequences of the violations.

substantial offenses

Indicates that the wrongdoings are significant in scale or impact.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "grave offences"?

Alternatives include "serious crimes", "major violations", or "severe transgressions". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

How does the severity of "grave offences" compare to other types of offenses?

"Grave offences" imply a high level of seriousness, typically involving significant harm, moral culpability, or violation of important rules. They are more severe than minor infractions or petty crimes.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "grave offences"?

The phrase is suitable in legal, ethical, or moral discussions where the seriousness of the wrongdoing needs to be emphasized. It is commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and formal reports.

Is "grave offences" formal or informal language?

The phrase "grave offences" leans towards formal language. In more informal settings, alternatives like "serious crimes" might be more appropriate, but it largely depends on the audience and context.