an unprofessional

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unprofessional" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone or something that lacks professionalism. Example: "His behavior at the meeting was an unprofessional display." Alternative expressions include "an unprofessional act" and "an unprofessional attitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

OK, here's an unprofessional speculation: maybe it's personal.

The New York Times

This created an unprofessional environment in a supposedly professional environment.

The Guardian - Sport

He skipped around as he sang in an unprofessional voice.

The New Yorker

I suppress an unprofessional urge to pat him on the back.

The New York Times - Magazine

One fan called Morrissey "an unprofessional bore," adding, "It's over between us".

The New York Times - Arts

"We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner.

The Guardian - Sport

They said: We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner.

The Guardian - Sport

"We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner," said a spokesman.

The Guardian - Sport

Steven Nicely, a professional dog trainer and police dog consultant, submitted an affidavit describing him as "an unprofessional charlatan".

The New York Times

A boring blog or an unprofessional Web site is worse than none at all, Ms. Paprocki said.

The New York Times

Regardless of the historic or expected kudos of an establishment, there may still be an unprofessional set-up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unprofessional" to describe specific behaviors, attitudes or environments that fall below the expected standards of a workplace or specialized field. It is particularly effective when used with nouns like "manner", "attitude", "relationship" or "conduct".

Common error

Do not use "an unprofessional" when you simply mean someone is not a member of a profession by trade. In such cases, use "a non-professional". Using "an unprofessional" implies a negative judgment on their behavior or competence rather than their job title.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unprofessional" consists of an indefinite article followed by an adjective. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it primarily functions as an adjectival modifier within a noun phrase. It is used to characterize nouns such as "manner", "way", "attitude" and "relationship". Its role is to attribute a specific quality of failing to meet established standards to the subject being described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unprofessional" is a highly effective and correct English expression used to describe a lack of professional standards or conduct. According to Ludwig AI, it is very common in reputable news outlets and scientific publications, often paired with nouns like "manner", "attitude" or "conduct". It is essential to distinguish it from "a non-professional", which is a neutral descriptor of job status. When you use "an unprofessional", you are making a qualitative judgment about a person's behavior or the execution of a task. It is grammatically sound and carries significant weight in both workplace reviews and public reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an amateurish

Suggests a lack of skill or finish typical of a professional.

an inappropriate

Focuses on behavior that is socially or contextually unfit for a professional setting.

a nonprofessional

Neutral term for someone not belonging to a specific profession.

an unskilled

Emphasizes the lack of technical training or ability.

a careless

Highlights a lack of attention or diligence in work performance.

an undignified

Refers to conduct that lacks the required seriousness or respect.

an unethical

Specific to violations of moral or professional codes of conduct.

a sloppy

Highly informal critique of disorganized or poorly executed work.

an amateur

Functions as a noun or adjective indicating pursuit without pay or mastery.

a casual

Suggests a lack of formality or depth in a professional context.

FAQs

How to use "an unprofessional" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a lapse in standards, such as: "The manager was criticized for "an unprofessional manner" during the meeting."

What is the difference between "an unprofessional" and "a nonprofessional"?

"an unprofessional" suggests a failure to meet standards, whereas "a nonprofessional" simply refers to someone who does not belong to a specific profession.

What can I say instead of "an unprofessional"?

Depending on the context, you can use "an amateurish" for lack of skill, or "an inappropriate" for poor conduct.

Which is correct, "an unprofessional" or "a unprofessional"?

"an unprofessional" is correct because the word "unprofessional" begins with a vowel sound.