Breach vs. Violation

I'm pretty sure you've wondered about the differences and similarities between 'breach' and 'violation' before. Well, let's see what we can learn from them.

What Is Their Main Difference?

These two words both refer to not meeting a set of rules or standards in a community. However, 'breach' is used when someone fails to do something that had been in a mutual contract before. 'Violation', on the other hand, mainly refer to acting illegally and against the rules.

Differences

As stated above, the main difference between these two is that 'violation' refers to doing something that goes against the laws and rules in a particular place. So, it means doing something illegal. Look:

In some countries, it is violation to go into a couple's bedroom.

I don't think murdering another human being is considered a violation of the law on another planet.

'Breach' is used when someone fails to do something that they were supposed to do. Look at the following examples:

Late payment can be considered a breach of employees' rights.

When you work in a company, not doing what you're required to do is a breach.

Similarities

Both of these refer to not conforming to a set of rules or principles in a particular community. Check out the following examples:

What you're proposing doesn't sound like a breach of trust to me.

Killing another human being is a violation of the law all around the globe.

Are They Interchangeble?

Since the contexts in which we use these two words differ, it is better not to use them interchangeably. Both of these sentences below are correct but we mainly do not use 'violation' for a contract, so it is not athta common. Compare:

✓ What is being said is totally a breach of the contract.

✓ What is being said is totally a violation of the contract.

Comments

(0)

Share on :