What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
delinquency
Example
The police officer warned the parents about their son's delinquency. [delinquency: noun]
Example
The company was fined for delinquency in paying their taxes. [delinquency: noun]
offense
Example
He was charged with an offense for driving under the influence. [offense: noun]
Example
She took his comment as an offense and walked away. [offense: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Offense is more commonly used than delinquency in everyday language. Offense is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while delinquency is less common and typically used in specific legal or social contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between delinquency and offense?
Both delinquency and offense can be used in formal contexts, but delinquency is more commonly used in legal or social contexts, while offense can be used in various formality levels.
