serious crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious crime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a crime which is legally punishable by severe punishments, such as imprisonment. For example, "The suspect was charged with a serious crime and sentenced to eight years in prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Serious crime is falling.

The New York Times

Serious crime is rare.

The New York Times

"It's a serious crime".

The New York Times - Tech

It was a serious crime.

The New York Times

Yet serious crime went down.

The New York Times

A serious crime.

The Guardian

It is a crime, a serious crime".

The New York Times

And modern serious crime is largely colourless.

The Economist

Proselytizing is a serious crime.

The New York Times

Perjury is a serious crime.

The Guardian

It is a serious crime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, use "serious crime" to emphasize the severity and potential consequences of the offense. This phrase is suitable for formal contexts and legal documents.

Common error

Avoid using "serious crime" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "major crime" or "felony" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious crime" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes a crime of significant severity, often involving violence or substantial harm. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct and consistent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious crime" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe severe illegal acts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, this phrase emphasizes the gravity of the offense. While generally neutral in register, its use in legal or journalistic contexts leans towards professional. When writing, remember that while "serious crime" effectively conveys severity, simpler terms may be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave offense

Highlights the seriousness and potential consequences.

major offense

Emphasizes the severity of the offense.

felony

Focuses on the legal classification of the crime.

major violation of law

Highlights the legal aspect and significance of the crime.

severe violation

Highlights the breach of rules or laws in a strong way.

capital crime

Refers specifically to crimes punishable by death.

criminal atrocity

Focuses on the brutal or inhumane nature of the crime.

heinous act

Emphasizes the shocking and wicked nature of the act.

criminal transgression

Highlights the act of crossing a legal or moral boundary.

significant transgression

Emphasizes the importance of the rule that was broken.

FAQs

How to use "serious crime" in a sentence?

"Serious crime" is used to describe offenses that carry severe penalties, such as imprisonment. For example, "The investigation focused on identifying those responsible for the "serious crime"".

What can I say instead of "serious crime"?

You can use alternatives like "major offense", "grave offense", or "felony" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "serious crime" or "serious offense"?

Both "serious crime" and "serious offense" are correct, but "serious crime" is generally used when referring to actions that are legally defined as crimes, while "serious offense" can also include non-criminal but severe transgressions.

What's the difference between "serious crime" and "minor crime"?

"Serious crime" refers to offenses that are punishable by significant penalties, such as long prison sentences, while "minor crime" refers to less severe offenses that typically result in fines or short-term detention.