sin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sin" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when discussing moral or ethical transgressions, particularly in religious or philosophical contexts. Example: "Many believe that to commit a sin is to act against divine law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sine and Cosine This relationship is expressed by the two most fundamental equations of trigonometry: x = r × cos θ y = r × sin θ Or, equivalently: cos θ = x/r sin θ = y/r Sin (sine) is the ratio of the vertical side (the side opposite the corner we're looking at) to the hypotenuse.

WikiHow

"I get calls from people asking if they will turn into Yazidis if they vote for a Yazidi, or if it is a sin to support a candidate who drinks alcohol," he said.

The Guardian

Committer of the cardinal celebrity sin of taking his work seriously.

The Guardian - Film

He won a majority of three, but for many Tory MPs losing was a sin.

The Guardian

"Thinking young and growing older is no sin".

The Guardian - Music

"The unjust distribution of good persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers".

The Guardian

For values in between the sine and cosine vary in a smooth curve, so that a plot of sin x against x is your basic wavy line.

WikiHow

SOH! CAH TOAA! So, to recap - the three main trig functions express the ratios of the sides of triangles like this: sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse tan θ = opposite/adjacent.

WikiHow

The general formula for finding the area of a triangle is area = ½ × base × height which is also equal to area = ½ × a × b × sin C. The choice of which angle is which in all of these equations is of course completely arbitrary, so feel free to swap around a, b and c at will, as long as you also swap A, B and C to make them fit.

WikiHow

And it's to be classified as a scrounger – for the cardinal sin of not being as well as other people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Five minutes from time two replacements, Irish's Canadian flanker Jebb Sinclair and Newcastle's Italian international lock Josh Furno were sent to the sin-bin after a clash on the home 22. Dean Richards, the Newcastle director of rugby, claimed Furno's dismissal was a "disgrace" as Sinclair had punched him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In less formal settings, "sin" can be used metaphorically to describe actions considered highly undesirable or damaging, but consider alternatives for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sin" casually in contexts where its religious connotations are inappropriate or might be misunderstood. Opt for more neutral terms like "mistake" or "error" to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The word "sin" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a violation of religious or moral law. It can also function as a verb, meaning to commit such a violation. As Ludwig shows, it is also a proper noun and abbreviation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sin" is versatile, functioning as a noun, verb, proper noun, and abbreviation, predominantly used to denote a transgression against religious or moral law. Ludwig AI shows its frequent appearance in News & Media. While grammatically correct, its register varies from formal (theological contexts) to neutral (news) to informal (metaphorical usage). Alternatives such as "transgression" or "wrongdoing" may be more appropriate in non-religious contexts to avoid misinterpretation. When employing "sin", especially in religious discussions, accuracy in representing specific doctrines is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transgression

Focuses on the act of violating a law or command.

wrongdoing

Emphasizes the act of doing something morally wrong.

offense

Highlights the violation of a rule or standard of conduct.

misdeed

Refers to a bad or immoral act.

vice

Indicates immoral or wicked behavior.

iniquity

Implies gross injustice or wickedness.

immorality

General term for behavior that is not morally correct.

wickedness

Denotes evil or morally wrong behavior.

evil

A broad term for profound immorality or wickedness.

lapse

A temporary failure of judgment or morals.

FAQs

How can I use the word "sin" in a sentence?

You can use "sin" as a noun to refer to a transgression against religious or moral law, or as a verb to describe the act of committing such a transgression. For example, "Many religions consider lying a "sin"" or "He confessed that he had "sinned"".

What are some alternatives to the word "sin"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "transgression", "wrongdoing", "offense", or "misdeed".

Is it correct to use "sin" in a non-religious context?

While "sin" is primarily associated with religious contexts, it can be used metaphorically in non-religious contexts to describe something considered a serious mistake or offense. However, consider your audience and the potential for misunderstanding.

What's the difference between "sin" and "crime"?

"Sin" generally refers to a violation of religious or moral law, while "crime" refers to a violation of civil or criminal law. An action can be both a "crime" and a "sin", but they are distinct concepts.