venial sin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "venial sin" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious context to refer to a minor sin that does not result in a complete separation from God. Example: "While he felt guilty about his actions, he reassured himself that it was merely a venial sin and not a grave offense."

✓ Grammatically correct

Religion

Law

Ethics

Politics

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Sex for the sake of procreation is not sinful, and sex within marriage solely to satisfy lust is a pardonable (venial) sin.

SEP

A venial sin usually involves a less important matter and is committed with less self-awareness of wrongdoing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Does that count as lying about my education, or is it merely a venial sin of omission?

The New York Times

Since the Eucharist takes away venial sin, a Catholic may never have to go to confession if mortal sin is not present.

The New York Times

While a venial sin weakens the sinner's union with God, it is not a deliberate turning from him and so does not wholly block the inflow of sanctifying grace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Unless Micheletti does something incredibly outrageous or stupid, I still think he has won this," says Peter Hakim, of Inter-American Dialogue, a think-tank in Washington, DC. "Honduras may have committed a venial sin, but it's not Serbia or Darfur.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

There are venial sins, and then there are mortal ones.

The Guardian - Books

It's about venial sins in a good world".

The New York Times

Mr. Romney's attacks on Mr. Santorum, by contrast, have focused on more venial sins: that he is a "career politician" who defended earmarks.

The New York Times

In fact, it's not the great but the venial sins that you think of with horror when you've read this book.

The New York Times - Books

I have eaten enough stale crumb cake at after-Mass socials to earn penance for at least a few of my many venial sins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "venial sin" when referring to a minor offense, especially in religious or ethical contexts. Ensure the audience understands the distinction between a "venial sin" and a mortal sin.

Common error

Avoid using "venial sin" interchangeably with more serious offenses. The term specifically denotes a minor transgression, not a grave one. Using it incorrectly can misrepresent the severity of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "venial sin" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe actions considered morally wrong but not serious enough to cause spiritual death.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "venial sin" is a noun phrase denoting a minor transgression, commonly used in religious, ethical, and legal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, with examples spanning news media, encyclopedias, and academic texts. While the phrase originates from religious theology, its usage has broadened to describe less severe wrongdoings in general contexts. Alternatives include "minor transgression" or "slight offense". When employing this phrase, it is crucial to distinguish its meaning from that of more serious offenses, such as mortal sins. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

light sin

A more direct and simple alternative, maintaining the religious context.

minor transgression

Focuses on the act of transgression being small in scale or impact.

slight offense

Emphasizes the lightness of the wrongdoing.

pardonable fault

Highlights the forgivable nature of the mistake.

excusable error

Focuses on the error being understandable or justifiable.

forgivable indiscretion

Emphasizes a lapse in judgment that can be forgiven.

trivial wrongdoing

Indicates that the action was wrong but not serious.

small peccadillo

Uses a less common word to describe a minor fault or sin.

insignificant misdeed

Focuses on the lack of importance of the bad act.

unimportant transgression

Similar to minor transgression but emphasizes the lack of importance.

FAQs

How does a "venial sin" differ from a mortal sin?

A "venial sin" is a minor offense that weakens one's relationship with God, while a mortal sin is a grave offense that completely severs that relationship. Mortal sins typically require confession for absolution.

Can you provide examples of what might be considered a "venial sin"?

Examples of what might be considered a "venial sin" include minor lies, small acts of disobedience, or fleeting impure thoughts, provided they are not deliberate or gravely serious.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "venial sin"?

You can use alternatives like "minor transgression", "slight offense", or "light sin" depending on the context.

Is the concept of "venial sin" present in all religions?

The concept of "venial sin" is most prominent in Catholic theology. Other religions may have similar concepts of lesser offenses, but the terminology and specific theological framework may differ.