serious transgression

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious transgression" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe an act that is considered to be wrong or immoral. For example: "His violation of the company's code of ethics was a serious transgression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

That was a serious transgression.

The Washington Post

Adopting different headgear was hardly Mr. Mullet's most serious transgression in the years leading up to last fall's violence.

The New York Times

He ruled that Ashkenazi was right to dissuade Aron from testifying in criminal court, "as this is a serious transgression".

The New Yorker

The church still considers "homosexual relations" a serious transgression that can lead to disciplinary action, along with offenses like heterosexual sex outside marriage, child abuse, abortion and rape.

The New York Times

In addition, gay marriage, while still considered "a serious transgression," is no longer treated as apostasy in terms of church discipline.

Britannica

When he started openly mocking the civil service and expressing political opinions a serious transgression for an employee of the state he was invited to retire at age 42, in 1953.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There are smaller penalties for less serious transgressions.

MIT Technology Review

The outcome of the current Harvard investigation is unknown, but serious transgressions linked to Crimson athletes have not gone unnoticed.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is unfortunate and regrettable that some may pay a penalty for the serious transgressions of their federation".

The New York Times - Sports

To critics, though, they establish the opposite: a smokescreen of trivia intended to obscure serious transgressions that the paper chooses to ignore.

The New York Times

The bottom line for serious transgressions: Senior leaders must immediately express candor, remorse, and a commitment to change in a high-profile setting and make it sincere.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that violate moral or ethical standards, use "serious transgression" to convey the gravity of the misconduct. For instance, "The politician's acceptance of bribes was a "serious transgression" of public trust".

Common error

Avoid using "serious transgression" in informal situations where the severity of the issue doesn't warrant such strong language. Opt for less intense terms like "mistake" or "oversight" when discussing minor issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious transgression" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting an act that significantly violates established rules, laws, or moral codes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious transgression" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a significant violation of established norms or laws. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It carries a connotation of ethical or moral breach, often used in neutral to formal contexts across news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. Related phrases include "grave offense" and "major violation". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the severity of the described act, avoiding overuse in casual contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the phrase's application in describing breaches of trust, ethical misconduct, and legal violations, emphasizing the importance of context-appropriate language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave offense

This alternative emphasizes the severity and impact of the wrongdoing.

major violation

This phrase highlights the breach of a specific rule, law, or agreement.

egregious misconduct

This alternative denotes behavior that is conspicuously bad or offensive.

severe infraction

This phrase stresses the seriousness of breaking a rule or law.

flagrant violation

Emphasizes the open and obvious nature of the wrongdoing.

significant breach

This highlights a substantial break from expected conduct.

substantial wrongdoing

Focuses on the unethical nature and impact of the act.

grievous fault

Highlights the distressing or painful aspect of the transgression.

terrible misdeed

This alternative conveys the awful or dreadful nature of the action.

major fault

This alternative highlights the importance of the specific fault.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "serious transgression" in a sentence?

Use "serious transgression" to emphasize the significance and impact of a wrongdoing, particularly when discussing ethical, moral, or legal violations. For example, "His act of perjury was a "serious transgression" that damaged his reputation".

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "serious transgression"?

You can use alternatives like "grave offense", "major violation", or "egregious misconduct" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to highlight.

When is it appropriate to use the term "serious transgression"?

It's appropriate when describing actions that not only break rules but also have significant ethical or moral implications. It's not suitable for minor errors or casual mistakes.

What distinguishes "serious transgression" from a simple mistake?

A "serious transgression" implies a deliberate or grossly negligent violation of established norms or laws, whereas a mistake is typically an unintentional error. The former carries a stronger connotation of culpability and ethical breach.