a wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an act that is morally or legally wrong. Example: "The committee decided to investigate the allegations of a wrongdoing within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The leader made a mistake or committed a wrongdoing.

Harvard Business Review

"Playing golf itself is not a wrongdoing," the newspaper confirmed.

The Guardian

The innocent plaintiff should not suffer as against a wrongdoing defendant.

Harvard University

It can be done to atone for a wrongdoing but can also be done to spare one of your "children".

Stanford University

Sajedinia said those arrested acknowledged what he described as a wrongdoing.

The Guardian

And when these companies failed or otherwise committed a wrongdoing, their size allowed their reputation to be ignored.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Summoning past cases of injustice to remind us of a current wrongdoing is a way of stopping tragedy.

Huffington Post

If there is even a whiff of wrongdoing, an entire generation will recoil from politics.

Independent

Or had we regressed to biblical law, under penalty for a collective wrongdoing?

The New York Times

In short, it is the casual name for reporting a suspected wrongdoing at work.

The Guardian - Money

In the armed forces, it can be punished severely although usually in combination with a greater wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wrongdoing" in contexts where you want to emphasize the moral or ethical dimension of an action. This helps convey the sense that something more than just a rule was broken.

Common error

Avoid using "a wrongdoing" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "mistake" or "bad deed" are generally more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wrongdoing" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig provides examples where it signifies an action considered morally or legally wrong, often requiring investigation or accountability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wrongdoing" is a noun phrase used to denote an action that violates ethical, moral, or legal standards. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as identifying actions requiring investigation or correction. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts and should be avoided in informal conversation in favor of simpler terms. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and used appropriately across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an offense

Replaces "wrongdoing" with a more general term for a violation of rules or laws.

a misdeed

Substitutes "wrongdoing" with a term that emphasizes the negative or immoral aspect of the action.

an act of misconduct

Replaces the single word with a phrase that specifies the improper nature of the action, often in a professional or official context.

a transgression

Uses a more formal and sometimes religious term for violating a moral or ethical boundary.

a violation

Emphasizes the breaking of a rule, law, or agreement.

an impropriety

Suggests behavior that is unethical or inappropriate, but not necessarily illegal.

an unethical act

Highlights the lack of moral principles in the action.

an illegal activity

Focuses specifically on actions that are against the law.

a breach of conduct

Commonly used in formal or professional settings to describe a violation of expected standards.

an improper action

A more generic way to describe something done incorrectly or inappropriately.

FAQs

How can I use "a wrongdoing" in a sentence?

You can use "a wrongdoing" to refer to an act that is morally or legally wrong. For example, "The company is investigating allegations of "a wrongdoing" by one of its executives."

What can I say instead of "a wrongdoing"?

You can use alternatives like "an offense", "a misdeed", or "an act of misconduct" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a wrongdoing" and "a crime"?

"A wrongdoing" is a broader term that can include actions that are morally or ethically wrong but not necessarily illegal, while "a crime" specifically refers to an illegal act punishable by law.

When is it appropriate to use "a wrongdoing" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "a wrongdoing" in formal writing when discussing investigations, legal matters, or ethical concerns where a neutral and objective tone is required.