it would be a sin not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be a sin not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong moral obligation or regret about not doing something that is considered important or valuable. Example: "With such a beautiful day outside, it would be a sin not to go for a walk in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It would be a sin not to".

The Economist

He says it would be "a sin" not to use the present difficulty to push for write-downs.

The Economist

2.05pm: More from El Diego, who says it "would be a sin" not to start Leo Messi against Greece tomorow.

The Guardian - Sport

The Argentina coach said: "Lionel Messi always wants to play and I thought I should give him a break [in training], but if you have a player as good as Leo, who is the best player in the world, I think it would be a sin not to give Messi to the people, to the team, and leave out the player who can certainly make the difference in a match.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So it'd almost be a sin not to.

Vice

Yes, it would be a sin, came the ruling.

The Guardian

What would be a sin is not finding a way to enjoy it.

Huffington Post

I made a decision that we would take the fight to the enemy every day, and that every sin we would commit -- and we would inevitably commit some -- would be a sin of commission, not a sin of omission.

The New York Times

"I really feel like not coming here today would be a sin".

The New York Times

To forget would be a sin.

The New York Times

For us to ignore them would be a sin".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure the context provides clear reasoning why failing to act would be morally or ethically questionable.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be a sin not to" for minor preferences or inconsequential decisions. Reserve it for situations where a genuine sense of moral or ethical duty is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be a sin not to" functions as an evaluative expression, framing a particular action as almost morally compulsory. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase expresses a strong moral obligation. The phrase is used to strongly urge a specific action, implying potential regret or moral failing if it is not taken.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Vice

13%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be a sin not to" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that implies a strong moral obligation or a great loss if a particular action is not taken. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides context for its use. Primarily found in news and media sources, it serves to persuade and highlight the importance of a decision or action. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it's appropriate for expressing a genuine sense of moral or ethical duty, rather than a trivial preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be a shame to miss

Replaces "sin" with "shame", softening the moral implication to a feeling of regret.

it would be regrettable to omit

Substitutes "sin" with "regrettable" and "not to" with "to omit", increasing formality.

it would be a waste to forgo

Uses "waste" instead of "sin" and "forgo" instead of "not to", implying lost opportunity.

it would be foolish to decline

Replaces the moral aspect with a focus on prudence, suggesting a lack of wisdom in refusing.

it's imperative that you do

Shifts the structure to an imperative form, emphasizing the necessity of the action.

you absolutely must not skip

Highlights the importance of not skipping something; strong emphasis.

it's practically mandatory

Emphasizes that is almost indispensable and obligatory.

it is highly advisable not to

Replaces "sin" with "advisable", making it a recommendation more than a command.

one should definitely consider

Introduces a sense of personal consideration and recommendation.

it's strongly recommended to

Positions as a strong suggestion.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be a sin not to" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to express a strong feeling that failing to do something would be wrong or a great loss. For example, "With such a beautiful day outside, "it would be a sin not to" go for a walk."

What does "it would be a sin not to" imply?

It implies that there's a moral or ethical imperative to take a particular action, and failure to do so would be deeply regrettable or wrong.

What can I say instead of "it would be a sin not to"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be a shame not to", "it would be regrettable to omit", or "it would be foolish to decline", depending on the context and the desired level of emphasis.

Is "it would be a sin not to" a formal or informal expression?

While understandable in most contexts, "it would be a sin not to" leans towards the informal side due to its reliance on the somewhat subjective concept of "sin". For more formal contexts, consider "it's imperative that you do".