You've probably heard the word "grievous" and immediately thought of a four-armed cyborg swinging lightsabers in a galaxy far, far away. Or maybe you think of a high-stakes courtroom drama where a lawyer shouts about "grievous bodily harm." Most people assume it just means "bad" or "serious." It’s a bit more nuanced than that. Honestly, using grievous in a sentence isn't just about sounding smart; it’s about capturing a specific type of weight—the kind that leaves a mark.
Words matter. They really do. If you use a word like "grievous" to describe a slightly overcooked steak, you look like you're trying too hard. If you use it to describe a massive national tragedy, you've nailed it.
The Actual Definition Most People Miss
At its core, "grievous" (pronounced GREE-vuss, not GREE-vee-us) describes something that causes great sorrow, pain, or suffering. It comes from the Old French word grever, which literally means to burden or afflict. When you use grievous in a sentence, you are talking about a burden that is heavy to carry. It is serious. It is severe. It is often, unfortunately, permanent.
Think about the difference between a "mistake" and a "grievous error." A mistake is forgetting your umbrella. A grievous error is a navigator miscalculating coordinates and causing a ship to run aground. See the weight? One is a nuisance; the other is a catastrophe.
Quick Reality Check on Pronunciation
Before we go further, let’s kill the "i." There is no "i" after the "v." People say "gree-vee-ous" all the time, and it drives linguists up the wall. It’s "grievous." Two syllables. If you write it with an extra "i," you're making a grievous spelling mistake. Seriously.
How to Put Grievous in a Sentence Without Looking Like a Robot
The best way to learn is to see it in action. You want it to sound natural. You want it to flow. You don't want it to stick out like a sore thumb.
- "The family suffered a grievous loss when their home was destroyed in the fire."
- "Choosing to ignore the safety warnings proved to be a grievous oversight by the construction manager."
- "In many legal jurisdictions, grievous bodily harm is a specific charge that carries much heavier penalties than simple assault."
Notice how the word attaches itself to nouns that represent something big? Loss. Oversight. Harm. It acts as an intensifier. It tells the reader, "Hey, pay attention, this part really hurts."
The Legal Context (GBH)
In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, "Grievous Bodily Harm" (GBH) is a staple of the legal system. It isn't just a fancy way to say someone got punched. It refers to "really serious" harm. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK, this could include permanent disability, loss of sensory function, or broken bones.
When a prosecutor uses grievous in a sentence during a trial, they aren't being poetic. They are meeting a specific legal threshold. They are arguing that the injury changed the victim's life.
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Why We Get It Mixed Up With "Grief"
It’s easy to see the connection. "Grief" is the noun; "grievous" is the adjective. But we often use them in totally different spheres of life. We use grief for funerals and breakups. We use grievous for wounds and taxes (the "grievous burden" of taxation is a common historical phrase).
Actually, if you look at historical documents, like the Declaration of Independence or old petitions to Kings, "grievances" are the specific complaints. A "grievous" act is what causes the grievance. It’s all part of the same linguistic family tree, rooted in the idea of being "heavy."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Sometimes people use "grievous" when they should use "gross."
"Gross negligence" and "grievous negligence" sound similar, but they aren't interchangeable. "Gross" in a legal sense means flagrant or extreme. "Grievous" focuses on the resulting suffering.
If you say, "He made a grievous mistake," you’re focusing on how much that mistake hurt people.
If you say, "He was guilty of gross negligence," you’re focusing on how badly he messed up his job duties.
It’s a subtle shift. But it’s the kind of thing that makes your writing feel "human" rather than generated by a bot that just swaps out synonyms.
Does it always have to be sad?
Mostly, yes. You wouldn't really say someone had a "grievous amount of fun." That sounds weird. It’s almost exclusively reserved for negative contexts. Sorrow, pain, hardship, injury, and errors are its best friends.
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Technical nuances of "Grievous" vs. "Severe"
You might be wondering: why not just use the word "severe"?
"Severe" is clinical. A severe storm. A severe headache. A severe drop in stock prices.
"Grievous" is emotional. It carries a "soul."
When you use grievous in a sentence, you're acknowledging the human cost. A "severe" injury might just mean it was hard to heal. A "grievous" injury implies it was traumatic.
The History of the Word (A Brief Detour)
Back in the 13th century, if something was grevous, it meant it was burdensome or oppressive. We’ve been using it for over 700 years. It’s survived because there isn't quite another word that captures that specific blend of "serious" and "painful."
Even in literature, from Shakespeare to modern thrillers, the word is used to signal a turning point. When a character makes a grievous error, the audience knows there’s no going back. The stakes have just been raised.
Practicing Your Own Sentences
If you're trying to work this into your vocabulary, start with situations that involve high stakes. Don't use it for small talk. Use it for the big stuff.
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- In a business report: "The loss of our primary patent was a grievous blow to our Q4 projections." (Shows impact).
- In a historical essay: "The soldiers faced grievous conditions during the winter retreat." (Shows suffering).
- In a personal letter: "I realized, with grievous regret, that I had missed my chance to say goodbye." (Shows deep emotion).
Actionable Steps for Better Vocabulary
If you want to master the use of "grievous" and other high-impact words, you have to do more than just read a dictionary. You have to hear them in context.
- Read high-quality journalism. Long-form pieces in The New Yorker or The Atlantic often use precise adjectives like "grievous" to describe social issues or tragedies.
- Watch legal dramas. Pay attention to how lawyers describe injuries. They are very intentional with their adjectives.
- Write it out. Try writing three sentences today using the word. One for work, one for a fictional story, and one about a historical event.
- Check your spelling. Every single time. Remember: No "i" after the "v."
Basically, using grievous in a sentence correctly shows you understand the weight of words. It proves you aren't just hitting "thesaurus" on your keyboard and picking the longest word available. It shows you know how to tell a story with gravity.
Don't overthink it. Just remember the "burden" aspect. If the situation feels heavy, "grievous" is probably your best bet. If it’s just a "bad day," stick to "bad." Your readers—and your editor—will thank you for the restraint.
Next time you’re writing and you hit a moment where "serious" feels too light and "terrible" feels too childish, reach for "grievous." It’s a classic for a reason. It bridges the gap between the clinical and the emotional, giving your prose the weight it deserves.
Check your work. Read it aloud. If the "GREE-vuss" sound fits the rhythm of your thought, you've got it. If it sounds like you're wearing a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ, dial it back. Precision is the mark of a pro.