absolutely improper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely improper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely inappropriate or unacceptable in a given context. Example: "The behavior displayed during the meeting was absolutely improper and did not reflect our company's values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"The sentence was worded in an absolutely improper and stupid way," Carter said.

The Washington Post

It is absolutely improper, says Capussela, to have bilateral haggling behind closed doors to occur after bids had been submitted.

The Guardian

It is absolutely improper to send the Emperor to apologize". Opponents on the other end of the spectrum have protested that Japan is legitimizing the authoritarian Government in Beijing and ignoring human-rights issues to placate its neighbor.

The New York Times

"It would have been - and I repeat, Ian, - absolutely improper for me to have got involved in the assessment of who or who did not receive those letters".

BBC

"Congress has taken an action now that makes it absolutely improper and illegal to use waterboarding or any other form of torture," Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Trump's attorney general designee, testified Tuesday.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I… reject absolutely any improper threats or improper inducement made to influence my position on this bill," said Mr Nicholls.

Vice

"I had absolutely no improper role in those contracts," he said.

The New York Times

We will tolerate absolutely no improper behaviour whatsoever and I think every one of our 50,000 plus employees is well aware of that.

The Guardian - Business

"Because of that, the existence of sponsors and advertisers on Australia Plus has absolutely no improper impact or influence on ABC editorial content on the Australia Plus platform or anywhere else on the ABC".

The Guardian

"There is absolutely nothing improper about journalists — if you haven't solicited something — getting it over the transom.

Huffington Post

"He is confident that when all the facts come out, it will be clear that he did absolutely nothing wrong or improper in carrying out his duties for the good of FIFA and the sport," the statement said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely improper" to convey a strong sense of disapproval or condemnation. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing that something is not just slightly wrong, but completely unacceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely improper" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or stilted in such settings. Opt for simpler, more natural alternatives like "totally wrong" or "completely out of line".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely improper" functions as an intensifier (absolutely) modifying an adjective (improper). It serves to strongly emphasize the inappropriateness or unacceptability of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely improper" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an intensifier emphasizing the degree to which something is inappropriate or unacceptable. While its register is formal, it appears most frequently in news and media and academic contexts. When writing, consider that the term can add strong emphasis of inappropriateness, and its formality may render it unsuitable for informal settings. For alternative phrasing, consider expressions like "utterly inappropriate" or "totally unacceptable". The frequency of use is uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly inappropriate

Replaces "absolutely" with "utterly", emphasizing the complete lack of suitability.

wholly inappropriate

Synonymous with "utterly inappropriate", offering a formal tone.

totally unacceptable

Shifts from "improper" to "unacceptable", focusing on the violation of standards.

downright unacceptable

Uses "downright" for emphasis, indicating a strong degree of unacceptability.

completely wrong

Replaces "improper" with "wrong", suggesting a moral or ethical failing.

unquestionably wrong

Emphasizes that there is no doubt about the impropriety.

entirely out of line

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something has crossed acceptable boundaries.

patently unsuitable

Highlights the obvious nature of the impropriety or unsuitability.

blatantly incorrect

Emphasizes the obvious and undeniable nature of the impropriety.

thoroughly reprehensible

Indicates that the impropriety is deserving of strong condemnation.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely improper" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely improper" to emphasize the inappropriateness of an action or behavior. For example, "His conduct during the meeting was "absolutely improper" and unacceptable."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely improper"?

Alternatives include "utterly inappropriate", "totally unacceptable", or "completely wrong", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absolutely improper" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "absolutely improper" is generally considered too formal for casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "totally wrong" or "completely out of line" are more suitable in informal settings.

What's the difference between "absolutely improper" and "improper"?

The addition of "absolutely" intensifies the meaning of "improper", indicating a greater degree of inappropriateness or unacceptability. Using just "improper" suggests something is wrong, while "absolutely improper" emphasizes that it is completely and unequivocally wrong.