gross breach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gross breach" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to describe a serious violation of a duty, obligation, or standard. Example: "The company faced severe penalties due to a gross breach of contract that affected numerous clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This was a gross breach of trust.

The Guardian

(CEZ denies any wrongdoing and calls the government's move "a gross breach of legal norms").

The Economist

These alleged acts represented a "gross breach of trust", Teeside Crown Court has heard.

Independent

This case has rightly been discussed as one involving a gross breach of trust.

The Guardian

The ANC and Mr Mbeki are defending her, deploring what they call a gross breach of privacy.

The Economist

Mr Brown claims that the Nisshin Maru's presence in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, was a "gross breach of international law".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

That gross breaches of human rights will be ignored and swept under the rug.

The Guardian - Opinion

After inserting in Labour's manifesto that "there have been few more gross breaches of faith" than the Tory tax rises of the past Parliament, Tony Blair, the prime minister, will not be keen to sanction anything that looks like a similar breach.Yet in recent months a consensus has formed that a tax rise is needed.

The Economist

"In the wider context of counter-terrorist operations that posed an immediate threat to the British public, when set against the criminal course of conduct that involved gross breaches of privacy but no apparent threat of physical harm to the public, I could not justify the huge expenditure of resources this would entail over an inevitably protracted period," he said.

The Guardian

They have ducked the three major reforms necessary to make the media both free and accountable, namely the reversal of the burden of proof on defendants in libel cases, the introduction of a carefully defined tort (civil wrong) that would entitle juries to award damages for gross breaches of privacy, and the total and complete abolition of the Press Complaints Commission.

The Guardian

It has become apparent in some recently reported trials, e.g. IPASS [ 3] and ICON7 [ 4], that gross breaches of the PH assumption can and do occur even to the extent of observing crossing survival curves, where a local estimate of the log HR changes sign over time.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gross breach", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard, law, or expectation was violated. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "gross breach" in casual conversation. Its formal tone can sound out of place and overly dramatic in everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross breach" functions as a noun phrase, where 'gross' modifies 'breach' to emphasize the severity or magnitude of the violation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gross breach" is a commonly used phrase, particularly in formal and legal contexts, to denote a significant violation or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, legal documents, and professional communications. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the severity of a breach and avoid it in informal settings. Related phrases include "flagrant violation" and "serious transgression". Be precise about what rule or standard was violated to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flagrant violation

Replaces 'breach' with 'violation' and 'gross' with 'flagrant,' emphasizing the obvious and intentional nature of the transgression.

serious transgression

Substitutes 'breach' with 'transgression,' highlighting a violation of moral or ethical principles, and replaces 'gross' with 'serious' to indicate the severity.

severe infraction

Replaces 'breach' with 'infraction,' suggesting a violation of a rule or law, and uses 'severe' instead of 'gross' to emphasize the intensity.

major dereliction

Substitutes "breach" with "dereliction", emphasizing a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility, and replaces "gross" with "major" to denote the extent of the failure.

egregious violation

Replaces 'breach' with 'violation' and 'gross' with 'egregious,' emphasizing the shocking and outstanding nature of the offense.

outrageous infringement

Substitutes 'breach' with 'infringement,' indicating a violation of rights or boundaries, and replaces 'gross' with 'outrageous' to highlight the offensiveness.

substantial contravention

Replaces "breach" with "contravention", highlighting an action that conflicts with or violates a law, treaty, or other agreement, and substitutes "gross" with "substantial".

grave failure

Replaces "breach" with "failure", indicating a lack of success or the omission of expected or required action, and substitutes "gross" with "grave".

significant lapse

Replaces "breach" with "lapse", indicating a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment, and substitutes "gross" with "significant".

critical compromise

Replaces "breach" with "compromise", highlighting the act of exposing or making vulnerable something to danger, suspicion, or disrepute, and substitutes "gross" with "critical".

FAQs

What does "gross breach" mean?

A "gross breach" refers to a severe or significant violation of a law, duty, or standard of conduct. It implies a serious failure or transgression.

How is "gross breach" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "gross breach" often describes actions that significantly violate contractual terms, fiduciary duties, or ethical standards, potentially leading to legal consequences.

What are some alternatives to "gross breach"?

You can use alternatives like "flagrant violation", "serious transgression", or "severe infraction" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "breach" and "gross breach"?

Yes, while "breach" indicates any violation, "gross breach" specifies a violation that is particularly severe, egregious, or unacceptable.