transgressions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "transgressions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an act or acts that go against accepted social rules or laws. For example: "The young man was punished harshly for his transgressions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Irish government has also been opening an eye that had turned the other way to avert its gaze from numerous Provo transgressions.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Robin Hazlehurst writes: First Pendleton and Varnish in the team sprint and now Jonny Brownlee - any chance that British athletes being (correctly) punished for fractional transgressions will make the French shut up about Philip Hines and Hunter/Purchase getting restarts?

The Guardian - Sport

The inquiry recommended that the Rwandan government should end its agreement with the corporation, based on "identified and recurrent transgressions on the part of the BBC".

The Guardian

It also accused the corporation of failing to uphold its own editorial standards: "The transgressions are deemed deliberate because the BBC failed to use the mechanisms it has established to moderate the output of its journalists to ensure that it is in line with what it expects from its journalists and producers in order for the institution to retain trust and credibility among its viewers".

The Guardian

Taken with his earlier statement that the withdrawal of the IRA's arms offer was "strange", the SDLP leader was acting in marked contrast to a previous willingness to overlook previous transgressions by the republican movement since the signing of the Belfast Agreement, not least the Florida gun-running escapade of 1999.

The Guardian

The very issue of ball-tampering is one that sends people into fits of indignation the levels of which transgressions of another nature do not seem to reach.

The Guardian - Sport

The anecdote, part of an exploration of the formation of morality in children, was one of several examples of transgressions that can end up defining a person's values.

The Guardian

It was derivative of US rap culture, but it had an unmistakable, British sound; although it rejoiced in the transgressions of the world it came out of, it also expressed its problems.

The Guardian

Binge-drinking is common on campuses, and cited in many complaints of sexual transgressions.

The Economist

The police were not much help: as often happens with Golden Dawn's transgressions, sympathetic police officers looked the other way.Golden Dawn is not only stepping up its vigilantism and attacks against immigrants.

The Economist

Although it is portrayed as a money-spinner, Mr O'Leary says fewer than ten passengers a day have to pay it.Mr O'Leary also promises that flyers will no longer be stung for small transgressions in hand-luggage size: he blames local agents in some airports for applying his rules with excess zeal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transgressions" to describe violations of moral or ethical codes, especially in contexts where the severity of the offense needs to be emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "transgressions" in casual conversations or informal writing. It sounds overly formal and may come across as pretentious. Simpler words like "mistakes" or "errors" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "transgressions" functions primarily as a noun, specifically the plural form of "transgression". It refers to instances or acts of violating a law, duty, or moral principle. Ludwig AI validates its correct and usable status, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transgressions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to violations of laws, rules, or moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it is best suited for formal or semi-formal contexts, such as news reporting or academic writing. Alternatives like "wrongdoings" or "violations" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Remember to use "transgression" for singular instances and "transgressions" for multiple. The word choice and usage depend on the level of formality, where "transgressions" is most effective in formal contexts where its more serious and weighted nuance helps.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrongdoings

Replaces "transgressions" with a more general term for immoral or illegal behavior.

offenses

Substitutes "transgressions" with a term often used in legal or formal contexts.

infractions

Replaces "transgressions" with a term implying a violation of rules or laws, often minor.

violations

Substitutes "transgressions" with a straightforward term indicating a breach of rules or agreements.

misdeeds

Replaces "transgressions" with a term emphasizing the negative or immoral nature of the actions.

lapses

Substitutes "transgressions" with a term suggesting temporary failures in conduct or judgment.

sins

Replaces "transgressions" with a term that is usually used in a religious context.

faults

Substitutes "transgressions" with a general term for shortcomings or mistakes.

ethical breaches

Replaces "transgressions" emphasizing failure to adhere to moral principles or professional conduct standards.

legal missteps

Substitutes "transgressions" with a term referring to actions that deviate from the law, either intentionally or unintentionally.

FAQs

How to use "transgressions" in a sentence?

The word "transgressions" is typically used as a noun, often in the plural form, to describe violations of laws, moral codes, or social norms. For example, "The committee investigated the company's ethical transgressions."

What can I say instead of "transgressions"?

You can use alternatives like "wrongdoings", "offenses", or "violations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "transgressions" or "transgression"?

"Transgression" is the singular form, referring to a single act of violating a law or moral principle, while "transgressions" is the plural form, referring to multiple acts.

What's the difference between "transgressions" and "crimes"?

"Crimes" typically refer to violations of criminal law, whereas "transgressions" can encompass a broader range of offenses, including moral or ethical violations that may not be legally punishable.