Dubious activities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Dubious activities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are questionable, suspicious, or not entirely honest. Example: "The investigation revealed several dubious activities that raised concerns about the company's practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Already, the private suits are revealing dubious activities.

The New York Times

BuzzFeed News has revealed that Nebraska and Texas are also engaged in similar legally dubious activities.

The Guardian

Regulators may have other tools to curb dubious activities, he said.

The New York Times

It is wrong to commit burglary (see Watergate), and wrong to lie about, or try to conceal, dubious activities (ditto).

The Economist

Sen. McWhatshisname carelessly dropped a remark the other day that revealed the exact nature of his dubious activities.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, July 18, 1953 P. 15 Sen. McWhatshisname carelessly dropped a remark the other day that revealed the exact nature of his dubious activities.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Dubious activity either in-play, or on side markets.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, as now, banking was a morally dubious activity.

Independent

But talking of dubious activity, what is Dark Santa?

Independent

But the exchange also attracted a fair share of dubious activity.

The New York Times

"Posthumous psychiatric diagnosis is a dubious activity," he warns, before adding, "Madness is of an age, not for all time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "dubious activities" with verbs that suggest investigation or scrutiny, such as "investigate", "scrutinize", or "uncover", to emphasize the need for closer examination.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious activities" as a vague accusation. Always provide context or examples to illustrate what makes the activities questionable. Being specific strengthens your argument and avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious activities" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dubious" modifies the noun "activities". Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. It generally acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing actions that are questionable or suspicious.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dubious activities" is a grammatically correct and usable term, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe actions that are questionable, suspicious, or not entirely honest. While not as common as other similar phrases, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to provide sufficient context and details to clarify the reasons behind the suspicion. Alternatives such as "questionable actions" or "suspicious behavior" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Always strive for specificity to avoid vagueness and ensure your message is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Questionable actions

Focuses on the element of doubt and uncertainty surrounding the actions.

Suspicious behavior

Highlights the element of mistrust and potential wrongdoing in the behavior.

Shady dealings

Emphasizes the secretive and potentially illegal nature of the transactions.

Fishy practices

Suggests something is not right or trustworthy about the practices.

Unethical conduct

Focuses specifically on the violation of moral principles in the conduct.

Illicit operations

Implies illegal and clandestine actions are taking place.

Corrupt practices

Highlights the element of bribery and abuse of power.

Improper conduct

Suggests a violation of established rules and norms of behavior.

Controversial actions

Focuses on the element of public disagreement and debate surrounding the actions.

Irregular operations

Suggests a deviation from standard or accepted procedures.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious activities" in a sentence?

You can use "dubious activities" to describe actions that are questionable or suspicious. For example, "The investigation revealed several "dubious activities" within the company's financial records."

What's the difference between "dubious activities" and "illegal activities"?

"Dubious activities" suggests that something is questionable or suspicious, but not necessarily illegal. "Illegal activities", on the other hand, explicitly refers to actions that violate the law.

What can I say instead of "dubious activities"?

You can use alternatives like "questionable actions", "suspicious behavior", or "shady dealings" depending on the specific context.

Are "dubious activities" always related to illegal actions?

No, "dubious activities" are not always illegal. They can also refer to actions that are unethical, morally questionable, or simply suspicious without necessarily breaking the law.