severe breaches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe breaches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant violations or infringements of rules, laws, or agreements. Example: "The company faced serious consequences due to the severe breaches of safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There were more than 4,000 severe breaches of animal welfare regulations over the past two years at British slaughterhouses, according to data released by the government's food watchdog under freedom of information laws.

The Guardian

The penalties which the NCAA can accept or add to didn't include a postseason ban in football, which faces eight Level I violations qualifying as severe breaches of conduct and 14 altogether.

The Guardian - Sport

"Freehold landholders will lose the ability to manage their regrowth vegetation, while severe breaches of civil liberties make an inglorious return, including the reinstatement of reversal of the onus of proof – meaning farmers will again be considered guilty until proven innocent".

The Guardian

"Never events" are classed as the most severe breaches of patient care, such as major surgical mistakes and are considered preventable.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Not to do so would be a severe breach of etiquette.

The New York Times

"The Politics of Religion" (editorial, May 28) tries to turn a severe breach of the separation of church and state by the Department of Health and Human Services into a breach by the Roman Catholic Church.

The New York Times

That is a very severe breach of trust and undermining of public confidence and there is a need of the court to restore parliament in this case.

The Guardian - Sport

Article 7 of the EU Treaty allows a country to be sanctioned or suspended if it commits a severe breach of fundamental rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

During the course of that investigation, Yahoo learned of the more severe breach, which it has said it believes was state-sponsored.

The New York Times - Tech

"Given the sums of money involved, the multiple ways in which the minister would benefit from this legislation, this would appear to be a severe breach of the code".

The Guardian

The N.C.A.A. plans to scrap its current enforcement structure, consisting of major and secondary violations, and replace it with a four-tiered structure, topped off by the "Level I: Severe breach of conduct" category for the worst offenders.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe breaches", ensure the context clearly defines what rules, laws, or agreements were violated and why the violations are considered severe. Provide specific examples or details to support the severity.

Common error

Avoid using "severe breaches" for minor or trivial infractions. Ensure the context warrants the use of such a strong term; otherwise, opt for milder alternatives like "minor violations" or "technical infractions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe breaches" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" modifies the noun "breaches". It describes the nature and extent of the violations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe breaches" is a noun phrase used to describe significant violations of rules, laws, or agreements. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable. While grammatically sound, its usage should be reserved for situations where the violations are genuinely serious, avoiding overstatement in less critical contexts. The phrase is typically found in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Alternatives such as ""serious violations"" or ""major infringements"" can be considered depending on the specific context. When writing, be specific about what rules were breached and why they are considered severe to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious violations

Focuses on the act of violating rules or laws, emphasizing the gravity of the action.

major infringements

Highlights the act of infringing upon rights or regulations in a significant way.

significant violations

Emphasizes the notable extent and impact of the violations.

critical failures

Shifts the focus to the concept of failures, particularly in areas crucial for success or safety.

flagrant transgressions

Indicates openly scandalous or disrespectful violations of norms or laws.

egregious offenses

Stresses the shocking or outstandingly bad nature of the offenses committed.

grave derelictions

Highlights serious neglect of duty or responsibility.

extreme contraventions

Emphasizes the exceeding level or degree of the contraventions.

substantial non-compliances

Focuses on the significant extent to which rules or standards were not followed.

fundamental lapses

Implies a breakdown of basic principles or standards.

FAQs

What does "severe breaches" mean?

The phrase "severe breaches" refers to significant violations or infringements of rules, laws, agreements, or standards. The term "severe" indicates that the breaches are serious in nature and have significant consequences.

How can I use "severe breaches" in a sentence?

You can use "severe breaches" to describe situations where there have been serious violations of established rules or norms. For example, "The company faced legal action due to "serious violations" of environmental regulations" or "The audit revealed "major infringements" of security protocols."

What are some alternatives to "severe breaches"?

Alternatives to "severe breaches" include phrases like "serious violations", "major infringements", or "significant violations". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the aspect of the violation you want to emphasize.

What are the consequences of "severe breaches"?

The consequences of "severe breaches" can vary depending on the context, but they often include legal penalties, financial losses, reputational damage, and loss of trust. The severity of the consequences usually corresponds to the severity of the breaches.