grievous offense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grievous offense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious wrongdoing or violation, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The defendant was charged with a grievous offense that shocked the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Duels themselves were against the law, and thus committing murder during a duel was a grievous offense.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Lhota told Mr. de Blasio that his most grievous offense was his support for the Boston Celtics.

The New York Times

Read more… Last Updated, 11 00 p.m. | Just days after Iran's president denounced Internet censorship as "cowardly," six young Iranians were arrested and forced to repent on state television Tuesday for the grievous offense of proclaiming themselves to be "Happy in Tehran," in a homemade music video they posted on YouTube last month.

The New York Times

In 1996, more than 20 years after Murphy moved away, the archbishop of Milwaukee, Rembert Weakland, wrote to Ratzinger, saying he had just learned that the priest had solicited sex in the confessional while at the school, a particularly grievous offense, and asked how he should proceed.

The New York Times

The reasoning here appears to run as follows: Humankind is guilty of a grievous offense against God; infants are instances of humankind; therefore, infants are likewise guilty of a grievous offense against God.

SEP

Thats a grievous offense for any company, but its especially lethal for an outfit like Persistence, a relatively obscure company with just over $10 million in revenues during the last twelve months and no earnings to speak of (in fact, its expected to lose 48 cents per share this year).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Section 3. Grievous offenses (i.e. offenses that are just plain offensive).

The New York Times

Mr. Gore was taken to task for his taste in clothing and for such grievous offenses as sighing or, allegedly, rolling his eyes.

The New York Times

In the Gospel according to the Hebrews ...there is counted among the most grievous offenses: He that has grieved the spirit of his brother.

Wikipedia

But I want to make sure that our state prisons are there to incarcerate hard-core prisoners who have committed grievous offenses that jeopardize the public safety.

Huffington Post

Future generations might be spared the insult of knowing that medical experimentation on enslaved women is not so grievous an offense as to preclude the person who performed it being honored with a public memorial.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grievous offense", ensure the context supports the severity of the term. It's best suited for situations involving significant moral, ethical, or legal violations.

Common error

Avoid using "grievous offense" to describe trivial mistakes or minor inconveniences. Save it for truly serious matters to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grievous offense" functions as a noun phrase, where "grievous" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "offense". Ludwig AI examples show it's used to describe actions or behaviors considered extremely serious and morally reprehensible.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grievous offense" is a powerful descriptor for serious wrongdoings, characterized by its formal tone and significant impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and primarily found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "heinous crime" or "serious wrongdoing" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing "grievous offense", ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong term, avoiding overuse in less critical scenarios. Proper usage enhances the gravity and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous crime

Implies a deeply shocking and reprehensible act, emphasizing the moral depravity involved.

egregious transgression

Highlights the exceptional and blatant nature of the violation or wrongdoing.

serious wrongdoing

Focuses on the gravity and ethical implications of the misdeed, emphasizing a departure from expected conduct.

grave misconduct

Underscores the severe nature of the improper or unacceptable behavior, particularly in a professional context.

major infraction

Emphasizes a significant breach of rules or regulations, often within a structured system.

severe violation

Highlights the forceful breach of established laws, agreements, or principles, indicating the degree of infringement.

terrible misdeed

Emphasizes the harmful or wicked nature of the action, stressing the resulting damage or distress.

atrocious act

Conveys a sense of extreme cruelty or wickedness, emphasizing the horrific qualities of the action.

outrageous violation

Highlights the shocking and unacceptable nature of the breach, emphasizing its affront to moral standards.

major felony

Refers specifically to a serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or death.

FAQs

How can I use "grievous offense" in a sentence?

Use "grievous offense" to describe a serious wrongdoing or violation. For example: "He was convicted of a "grievous offense" and sentenced to prison."

What are some alternatives to "grievous offense"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "heinous crime", "serious wrongdoing", or "grave misconduct".

What distinguishes a "grievous offense" from a simple mistake?

A "grievous offense" implies a significant violation of moral, ethical, or legal standards, whereas a mistake is typically unintentional and less severe. The key difference lies in the magnitude and intent.

Is "grievous offense" a formal or informal term?

"Grievous offense" leans towards the formal side, suitable for legal, official, or serious contexts. Informal situations might call for simpler terms like "bad mistake" or "serious problem".