Meaning & use
infractions
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“infractions” is a form of “infraction”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Acts of breaking a rule or law, especially minor ones.
Grammar: This is the plural of 'infraction'; use the singular for one act: a traffic infraction.
Patterns
- commit an infraction
- an infraction of a rule
- minor infractions
The referee recorded three infractions by the same player.
Parking in a disabled space is one of the most common infractions.
Repeated infractions of the school's dress code can lead to detention.
nounpluralformal
Instances of failing to obey an official agreement or standard.
Grammar: Often followed by 'of' plus the rule, treaty, or code that was broken.
Patterns
- infractions of a treaty
- infractions against the rules
The report listed several infractions of the safety regulations.
Both sides accused each other of infractions against the ceasefire.
Word forms
| singular | infraction |
|---|
Common combinations
- minor infractions
- The manager ignored minor infractions like arriving a few minutes late.
- traffic infractions
- Drivers with unpaid traffic infractions may lose their licenses.
- commit an infraction
- He committed an infraction and had to pay a fine.
- a series of infractions
- A series of infractions finally led to his dismissal.
- disciplinary infractions
- Prisoners can lose privileges for disciplinary infractions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- violations
- Stronger and more formal; often used for serious breaches of law or rights, while infractions are usually smaller rule breaks.
- breaches
- Suggests breaking through a limit or duty, and is common with contracts and security, not with small everyday rules.
- offenses
- Can suggest crime or something that causes moral disapproval, so it sounds heavier than infractions.
Opposites
Word family
- infraction noun
- A single act of breaking a rule or law.
- infringe verb
- To break a law, right, or agreement.
- infringement noun
- The act of breaking a right or law, especially copyright.
Commonly confused: infractions or infraction? infractions or fraction?
infractions vs infraction
This is the singular; 'infractions' is the plural. Say 'one infraction' but 'two infractions'.
infractions vs fraction
A fraction is a small part of a whole, while an infraction is a rule broken.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'infractions' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Infractions' means rule breaks, so parking infractions fits. Option 3 confuses it with 'fractions', and options 1 and 4 use it with meanings it does not have.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “infractions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.