a predatory system

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a predatory system" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a system that exploits or takes advantage of individuals or resources in a harmful way. Example: "The report highlighted the dangers of a predatory system that prioritizes profit over the well-being of its workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It was a predatory system".

The New York Times

She added that patients can be made victims easily, "and this is a predatory system".

The New York Times - Health

It amounts to a predatory system of obligation, set down in no laws, enforced by implied threat.

The New Yorker

"They were victims of a predatory system that did nothing to stop this," Ms. Marsh said, shaking her head as she sat on a folding chair on the sidewalk, surrounded by plastic bags holding what few belongings her family had been able to salvage.

The New York Times

But on the watch of local leaders, the program has morphed into a predatory system of debt collection for well-financed, out-of-town companies that turned $500 delinquencies into $5,000 debts — then foreclosed on homes when families couldn't pay.

The New York Times

"The emphasis needs to be not on the voters who are the victims of a predatory system, but on this system which is making a mockery of democracy".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A weak court system, lax contract enforcement and a predatory tax system have deterred many foreign companies from entering Russia.

The New York Times

Yes, supply side economics has been a pox on this country, on the world -- a pox on capitalism with a predatory financial system and unfiltered greed becoming a malignant cancer.

Huffington Post

Further studies are needed to understand under what conditions and predatory systems the total area of eyespots makes a significant difference.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The proposal would redirect huge swaths of the federal education budget away from school districts and toward low-income parents, allowing them to spend a voucher at a public or private school of their choice, including for-profit, virtual, religious, and other predatory systems of schooling.

Huffington Post

The pressure of a predatory real-estate system forces once law-abiding citizens into makeshift squats and lofts in abandoned industrial estates.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a predatory system", ensure that you provide specific examples of how the system exploits or harms individuals or resources. This adds credibility and clarity to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a predatory system" as a vague label without providing concrete evidence or examples. Generalizations can weaken your argument and make it less convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a predatory system" functions as a noun phrase, where "predatory" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "system". Ludwig shows that it typically identifies a structure or process that exploits or harms others.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a predatory system" is a noun phrase used to critically describe systems that exploit or harm others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and while not overly common, its usage appears consistently across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase functions to condemn unjust practices, with a register that leans toward neutral, suitable for professional and analytical contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: provide specific examples to strengthen your argument and avoid vague generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exploitative structure

Replaces "predatory" with "exploitative", emphasizing the act of unfair advantage.

an abusive scheme

Substitutes "system" with "scheme" and "predatory" with "abusive", highlighting the harmful nature of the system.

a ruthless arrangement

Uses "ruthless" to convey the harshness and lack of compassion in the system, replacing "system" with "arrangement".

a grasping mechanism

Emphasizes the acquisitive and selfish nature of the system by using "grasping" and replacing system with "mechanism".

a rapacious setup

Utilizes "rapacious" to highlight the aggressively greedy aspect of the system, with "setup" replacing "system".

a parasitic framework

Suggests the system benefits by harming others, similar to a parasite, and uses framework as a substitute for system.

a self-serving institution

Focuses on the system's benefit to itself, replacing predatory with self-serving and system with institution.

a manipulative operation

Highlights the deceptive aspect, suggesting the system controls others unfairly, substituting system with operation.

a thieving racket

Emphasizes the dishonest and illegal nature of the system, replacing system with racket.

a cutthroat enterprise

Indicates the system involves fierce competition and disregard for others, enterprise as an alternative to system.

FAQs

What does "a predatory system" mean?

The phrase "a predatory system" describes a structure or set of practices that exploits, harms, or takes unfair advantage of individuals or resources for the benefit of others. It implies a power imbalance and a lack of ethical considerations.

How can I identify "a predatory system"?

You can identify "a predatory system" by looking for patterns of exploitation, unfair practices, and a significant power imbalance where one party benefits at the expense of others. Common indicators include high fees, deceptive marketing, and aggressive collection tactics.

What are some alternatives to "a predatory system"?

You can use alternatives like "an exploitative structure", "an abusive scheme", or "a ruthless arrangement" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "a predatory system"?

The term "a predatory system" is appropriate when discussing financial practices, business models, or social structures that exploit vulnerable individuals or groups. It is often used in discussions about economics, politics, and social justice.