acts of dishonesty

USAGE SUMMARY

"acts of dishonesty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to any deceitful behavior. For example, "The organization was found guilty of numerous acts of dishonesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I'm an Old Testament guy," Carver says, when he finally begins to grasp the story's central acts of dishonesty.

The New York Times - Books

To fire Hunter "for cause," the union would have to prove that Hunter was guilty of embezzlement, theft, larceny, material fraud or other acts of dishonesty, Ashley said.

The New York Times - Sports

But is it really possible the prosecutor would have a constitutional duty to plumb the officer's life history to learn of these acts of dishonesty?

The Washington Post

And despite its heavy-handedness, "The Power of Darkness" brings home how small acts of dishonesty can lead to outright evil.

The New York Times

What's so sad is that some (who are financially capable) are willing to encourage and teach their kids the acts of dishonesty and avoidance of hard work.

The New York Times

Even small acts of dishonesty can cost a firm dearly: the judge cited Mr Gallagher's "astounding ability to be dishonest"; BSkyB was later awarded $320m in damages.Yet businesspeople have given little serious thought to managing dishonesty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It said it came from Medicare – an extraordinary act of dishonesty.

The Guardian

Taken as a whole, the vastly unrepresentative bookshelf is an industry-wide act of dishonesty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The oath prohibits "any act of dishonesty or cowardice" and requires its declaimers to "strive unceasingly to quicken the public sense of civic duty".

The New York Times

Back when he was talking publicly about Lehman, Mr. Einhorn used to cast Lehman's mark-to-market pricing as an act of dishonesty.

The New York Times

Lord Justice Leveson told him he had been disingenuous in his original evidence because he had left the paper after committing an act of dishonesty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the "acts of dishonesty" when possible. Instead of just saying someone committed "acts of dishonesty", specify whether it involved fraud, theft, or misrepresentation.

Common error

While it might be tempting to soften the impact with vague language, avoid using euphemisms when "acts of dishonesty" accurately describes the situation. Clear and direct language enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acts of dishonesty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As supported by Ludwig, it denotes specific instances of unethical or fraudulent behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acts of dishonesty" is a noun phrase that is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe unethical or fraudulent behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific and academic sources. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "dishonest actions" and "deceptive practices", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "acts of dishonesty", ensure you are clear and direct, avoiding euphemisms that might dilute the message. By understanding its proper context and usage, you can effectively communicate about unethical or illegal behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dishonest actions

Replaces the noun "acts" with the adjective "dishonest" to directly modify "actions".

deceptive practices

Substitutes "dishonesty" with "deceptive practices", focusing on the methodology of the dishonesty.

fraudulent activities

Replaces "dishonesty" with the more specific term "fraudulent activities", implying financial or legal wrongdoing.

unethical behavior

Broadens the scope to include actions that violate moral principles, not just those that are dishonest.

misleading conduct

Focuses on the result of the actions—that they mislead—rather than the intent behind them.

corrupt practices

Suggests a systemic problem of dishonesty, particularly within an organization or institution.

immoral deeds

Shifts the focus to the moral implications of the actions, rather than the dishonesty itself.

unscrupulous behavior

Highlights the lack of ethical principles guiding the actions.

violations of trust

Emphasizes the breach of confidence or expectation that results from the dishonest actions.

breaches of integrity

Replaces "dishonesty" with "breaches of integrity", indicating a violation of moral principles and wholeness.

FAQs

How can I use "acts of dishonesty" in a sentence?

You can use "acts of dishonesty" to describe unethical or illegal behaviors, such as "The investigation revealed several "acts of dishonesty" within the company's financial records."

What phrases can I use instead of "acts of dishonesty"?

Alternatives include "dishonest actions", "deceptive practices", or "fraudulent activities", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "act of dishonesty" or "acts of dishonesty"?

"Act of dishonesty" refers to a singular instance, while "acts of dishonesty" refers to multiple instances. Use the plural form when describing more than one occurrence.

What's the difference between "acts of dishonesty" and "unethical behavior"?

"Acts of dishonesty" specifically refer to actions involving deception or fraud, while "unethical behavior" is a broader term that includes any actions violating moral principles, not necessarily involving dishonesty.