grave transgression

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is no excuse for the failure to apologize for this grave transgression".

The New York Times

Embarrassing the community is a grave transgression, defined in the Talmud as a "chilul Hashem," or desecration of God's name.

The New York Times

The priest, the Rev. Thomas D. Williams, apologized in a statement on Tuesday "for this grave transgression" and "to everyone who is hurt by this revelation".

The New York Times

The man threatened Zahra, telling her that he would reveal the scandal if she didn't join him outside her house, itself a grave transgression in her conservative society.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In its name, they make extreme sacrifices and sometimes perpetrate grave transgressions.

The Guardian - Film

Reportedly, Dynasty's graver transgressions were funding a political discussion club and supporting several media outlets that still pursue editorial independence.

The New Yorker

There are so many ways to do God's work on earth, and the unofficial doctrine that sexual purity alone should constitute human sanctity fuels some of its gravest transgressions.

Huffington Post

Assaults on the order of truth, essential for the cohesion of society itself, constitute particularly grave moral transgressions in Scudéry's hierarchy of values.

SEP

But while there are indeed transgressions grave enough to sink a friendship, for now at least this isn't one of them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though Jackson later called the incident a "terrible mistake", it is one of the many transgressions that will follow him to his grave.

The Guardian - Opinion

So when the Tory leader admits - as he did to the Times Educational Supplement this week - that he used to play truant from Llanelli Grammar at Jack's snooker hall, the public has got to understand that what was a minor transgression in the 1950s is a far graver matter now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave transgression" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and moral implications of a wrongdoing. It carries a stronger weight than a simple "mistake" or "error".

Common error

Avoid using "grave transgression" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase's formality and weight can sound overly dramatic or pretentious in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave transgression" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing serious wrongdoings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave transgression" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious violation of moral, ethical, or legal standards. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound. Its formal tone makes it suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts, as evidenced by its appearance in publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it effectively conveys the severity of a wrongdoing, avoid using it in informal settings where it may sound overly dramatic. Alternatives such as "serious offense" or "severe violation" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious offense

Replaces "transgression" with a more common term for wrongdoing, maintaining the seriousness.

severe violation

Emphasizes the breach of a rule or law, similar in impact to a transgression.

major infraction

Highlights a significant breach of rules, often used in formal contexts.

grievous fault

Uses "grievous" to stress the serious nature of the fault.

heinous act

Indicates a shockingly evil or wicked deed.

flagrant violation

Focuses on the blatant and intentional nature of the violation.

atrocious deed

Highlights the appalling and brutal nature of the action.

egregious error

Emphasizes the outstandingly bad quality of the error.

unforgivable sin

Stresses the moral or religious aspect, implying the action is beyond forgiveness.

major wrongdoing

A more general term for a significant unethical or illegal action.

FAQs

What does "grave transgression" mean?

A "grave transgression" refers to a serious or significant violation of a law, moral principle, or code of conduct. It implies a wrongdoing that carries significant consequences or moral weight.

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

The phrase "grave transgression" is appropriate when describing a serious offense that has significant ethical or legal implications. It's suitable for formal writing and discussions where precision and emphasis are important.

What are some alternatives to "grave transgression"?

Alternatives to "grave transgression" include "serious offense", "severe violation", or "major infraction". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "grave transgression" the same as "serious mistake"?

No, "grave transgression" and "serious mistake" are not the same. A "serious mistake" implies an error in judgment or action, while a "grave transgression" suggests a violation of moral or legal principles with potentially severe consequences. The former is less severe than the latter.