crime
A crime is an act that breaks the law and can be punished by the government.
Explanation at your level:
A crime is a bad thing that breaks the law. If you do a crime, the police might stop you. It is not good to do a crime.
A crime is an action that is against the law. For example, stealing is a crime. People who commit crimes can go to jail or pay money as a punishment.
When someone breaks the law, we call that a crime. Governments make laws to keep people safe, and if you break those laws, you are committing a crime. There are many types of crimes, from small ones like speeding to big ones like robbery.
The term crime refers to any act that is prohibited by law and punishable by the state. It is a broad category that includes everything from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. Society uses the legal system to address these acts and ensure justice is served.
Crime serves as a fundamental concept in sociology and jurisprudence, representing a deviation from established legal norms. It is not merely an act of wrongdoing but a specific violation that triggers state-sanctioned intervention. The study of crime, or criminology, examines why individuals commit these acts and how society responds through punishment and rehabilitation.
Etymologically rooted in the Latin crimen, crime has evolved from a term denoting an accusation to a definitive descriptor of illegal conduct. In literature and philosophy, it often represents a transgression against the moral or social order. The classification of an act as a crime is highly dependent on cultural, historical, and political contexts, reflecting the values of the governing body at any given time.
Mot en 30 secondes
- A crime is an illegal act.
- It is punishable by law.
- Use 'commit' with it.
- It is a countable noun.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word crime. At its heart, a crime is simply an action that goes against the law. Think of it as breaking the rules that a country or state has set up to keep everyone safe and organized.
When someone commits a crime, they are doing something that the government has decided is harmful or unacceptable. This can range from small things, like parking your car in a spot where you aren't supposed to, to very serious things, like hurting someone or taking property that doesn't belong to you. It's a heavy word, but it's used every day in news and conversation!
The word crime has a fascinating history! It comes from the Latin word crimen, which originally meant a 'charge' or 'accusation' rather than just the act itself. Over time, as it moved through Old French into English, the meaning shifted to focus on the illegal act.
It's interesting to note how words evolve. In ancient times, the idea of a 'crime' was often tied to religious or moral failure. Today, we focus more on the legal aspect. It’s a great example of how language changes to fit the needs of society as we develop more complex legal systems.
You will hear crime used in many ways. We often talk about 'committing a crime' or 'fighting crime.' It is a very versatile noun that appears in both casual chats about the news and formal legal documents.
Common collocations include violent crime, petty crime, and organized crime. Whether you are talking about a detective show or a real-world event, this word is your go-to for describing illegal behavior. Just remember, it's a serious term, so use it when the situation actually involves breaking the law!
Idioms make language colorful! Here are a few related to crime:
- A crime against fashion: Something that looks terrible.
- Crime doesn't pay: A warning that illegal acts lead to bad outcomes.
- Get away with murder: To do something wrong without punishment.
- Caught red-handed: Being caught in the middle of a crime.
- Crime of passion: A crime committed in a state of strong emotion.
The word crime is a countable noun. You can have 'one crime' or 'many crimes.' It’s pronounced with a long 'i' sound, like 'time' or 'lime.' In IPA, it is /kraɪm/.
Stress is simple here since it's a single-syllable word. It rhymes with climb, rhyme, prime, chime, and slime. Use it with articles like 'a' or 'the' depending on whether you are talking about a specific crime or the concept in general.
Fun Fact
It originally meant the 'charge' against someone, not the act itself.
Pronunciation Guide
Rhymes with time.
Rhymes with time.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the end
- Confusing with 'climb'
- Misplacing the vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Common word
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a crime/crimes
Collocations
commit a crime
Simple Past
He committed a crime.
Examples by Level
Stealing is a crime.
Stealing = taking things
Gerund as subject
The police stop crime.
Police = law officers
Noun usage
He did a crime.
Did = committed
Simple past
Crime is bad.
Bad = not good
Adjective
They fight crime.
Fight = stop
Verb+noun
Is it a crime?
Question format
Interrogative
No more crime.
No more = zero
Quantifier
I hate crime.
Hate = dislike
Verb+noun
The city has a low crime rate.
He was arrested for a serious crime.
The police are investigating the crime.
Stealing is a petty crime.
Crime is a big problem here.
She wrote a book about a crime.
They want to prevent crime.
The crime happened last night.
The government is working to reduce violent crime.
It is a crime to drive without a license.
The detective solved the crime quickly.
Organized crime is a major concern.
He was convicted of a financial crime.
The crime scene was blocked off.
She witnessed a crime in the park.
They are studying the causes of crime.
The rise in cyber crime has worried many businesses.
He was sentenced for his involvement in the crime.
The report highlights the link between poverty and crime.
She is an expert in the field of crime prevention.
The crime rate has dropped significantly this year.
They are fighting against organized crime syndicates.
The evidence linked him directly to the crime.
It is a crime against humanity to treat people this way.
The legislation aims to curb the prevalence of white-collar crime.
Sociologists often analyze the systemic factors contributing to urban crime.
The state has a duty to prosecute every crime reported.
His actions were considered a heinous crime against the community.
The novel explores the psychological roots of a crime.
The judicial system is designed to punish and deter crime.
There is a fine line between a mistake and a crime.
The investigation uncovered a complex network of organized crime.
The philosopher argued that the definition of a crime is inherently subjective.
The state's monopoly on violence is often used to define what constitutes a crime.
Historical archives reveal how the perception of a crime has shifted over centuries.
The legal framework was insufficient to address this new type of digital crime.
He was exonerated of the crime after new evidence emerged.
The systemic nature of the crime suggests deep-seated corruption.
The discourse surrounding the crime was highly politicized.
The act was deemed a victimless crime by some, yet illegal by others.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"Crime doesn't pay"
Illegal acts lead to bad results.
Don't steal; crime doesn't pay.
casual"Caught red-handed"
Caught in the act.
He was caught red-handed stealing.
casual"Get away with murder"
Escape punishment.
He gets away with murder at work.
casual"Crime of passion"
Act done in anger/love.
It was a crime of passion.
formal"A crime against fashion"
Looking very bad.
That hat is a crime against fashion.
casual"Pay for your crimes"
Accept punishment.
He will pay for his crimes.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are 'wrong'.
Legal vs moral.
Stealing is a crime and a sin.
Same root.
Person vs act.
The criminal committed the crime.
Both are illegal.
Offense is broader.
A traffic offense.
Both are crimes.
Severity level.
A felony is a major crime.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + commit + crime
He committed a crime.
The crime + be + adjective
The crime was serious.
Prevent + crime
We must prevent crime.
Investigate + crime
Police investigate the crime.
Convicted of + crime
He was convicted of the crime.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
We use 'commit' with crime, not 'make'.
Criminal is the person, crime is the act.
While 'do' is okay, 'commit' is the standard collocation.
Crime is legal, sin is moral/religious.
Use the singular for the general concept.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom.
Native Usage
Use 'commit' with crime.
Cultural Insight
Crime is a major news topic.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a countable noun.
Say It Right
Long 'i' sound.
Avoid 'make'
Use 'commit' instead.
Did You Know?
Latin origin.
Study Smart
Read crime news.
Build Lists
Group by severity.
Context Matters
Legal vs casual.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CRIME: Can Really Involve Many Errors.
Visual Association
A person wearing a striped jail outfit.
Word Web
Défi
Write a sentence using 'crime' today.
Origine du mot
Latin
Original meaning: Accusation or charge
Contexte culturel
Avoid using lightly in serious legal contexts.
Used heavily in media, police procedurals, and news.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
News
- crime rate
- police report
- investigation
School
- rules of conduct
- breaking the rules
- punishment
Law
- legal system
- prosecution
- conviction
Movies
- crime thriller
- detective story
- villain
Conversation Starters
"What is the most common crime in your city?"
"Do you like watching crime movies?"
"How can we prevent crime?"
"Is the crime rate increasing?"
"What is the difference between a crime and a mistake?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a crime you saw in a movie.
Do you think laws are fair?
How does crime affect society?
What would you do if you saw a crime?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, by definition.
It depends on the age and laws.
Crime is legal; sin is religious.
Yes, for multiple acts.
No, one is the person, one is the act.
A crime with no direct victim.
It is the standard collocation.
No, they vary in severity.
Teste-toi
Stealing is a ___.
Stealing is an illegal act.
Which verb goes with crime?
We say commit a crime.
A crime is always a good thing.
Crimes are illegal and harmful.
Word
Signification
Matches word to meaning.
The police solved the crime.
He was ___ of a serious crime.
Convicted is the legal term.
What is a 'white-collar' crime?
Financial crimes are white-collar.
Criminology is the study of crime.
That is the definition.
Word
Signification
Legal classifications.
Systemic crime is a problem.
Score : /10
Summary
A crime is an illegal action that has legal consequences.
- A crime is an illegal act.
- It is punishable by law.
- Use 'commit' with it.
- It is a countable noun.
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom.
Native Usage
Use 'commit' with crime.
Cultural Insight
Crime is a major news topic.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a countable noun.
Exemple
Stealing a bicycle is a crime.
Related Content
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur law
bail
A1Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
bankruptcy
A1C'est quand tu ne peux pas payer tes dettes. Un tribunal t'aide à régler tes problèmes d'argent.
burden of proof
A1C'est la responsabilité de prouver que ce que tu dis est vrai. Si tu affirmes quelque chose, tu dois le prouver.
charge
A1C'est l'accusation officielle portée par la police ou un tribunal contre une personne suspectée d'une infraction.
clause
A1Une clause est une partie spécifique d'un document légal ou d'un contrat qui explique une condition.
compensation
A1C'est l'argent donné pour compenser une perte, une blessure ou une souffrance.
compliance
A1Compliance is the act of following a rule, law, or specific order. It is most often used to describe when a person or a company obeys legal requirements or safety standards.
confidentiality
A1Confidentiality means keeping information secret or private. It is a rule that says you cannot tell other people's secrets to anyone else.
conviction
A1Une décision officielle de justice déclarant quelqu'un coupable, ou une conviction profonde et certaine.
copyright
A1C'est le droit qui te donne le contrôle sur ta création (livre, musique). Personne d'autre ne peut la copier ou l'utiliser sans ta permission.
