an unsound practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unsound practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a method or approach that is flawed or not based on sound reasoning or principles. Example: "Implementing such a strategy without proper research is an unsound practice that could lead to significant losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It treated it instead as an economically unsound practice that made executives rich but harmed the companies they led and contributed to the recent financial meltdown.

The New York Times

However, the growth of marine aquaculture is threatened by its excessive reliance on fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) from wild stocks for the production of fish feeds, which is also an ecologically unsound practice.

BMC Genomics

Failure of a System institution to maintain capital at or above its minimum level as established under subsection (a) may be deemed by the Farm Credit Administration, in its discretion, to constitute an unsafe and unsound practice within the meaning of this chapter.

Cornell University

(b) It is an unsafe and unsound practice for any director, officer, employee, or principal shareholder of a national bank (including any entity in which this person owns an interest of more than ten percent), who is involved in the sale of credit life insurance to loan customers of the national bank, to take advantage of that business opportunity for personal profit.

Cornell University

If an insured depository institution receives, in its most recent report of examination, a less-than-satisfactory rating for asset quality, management, earnings, or liquidity, the appropriate Federal banking agency may (if the deficiency is not corrected) deem the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice for purposes of this subsection.

Cornell University

The report points to an MRA that the OCC issued in 2009 requiring that the bank establish an "enterprise-wide system for complaint management". This MRA had the following "communication deficiencies": it was not addressed to the Board, it was not listed as an unsafe and unsound practice, and it did not identify root causes or responsible parties.

Columbia University

The FSB has ruled that for a government to issue money is an impermissible "merging of the public and private sectors" and an "unsound banking practice" forbidden under the "12 Key International Standards and Codes".

Huffington Post

The notice shall contain a statement of the facts constituting the alleged violation or violations or the unsafe or unsound practice or practices, and shall fix a time and place at which a hearing will be held to determine whether an order to cease and desist therefrom should issue against the depository institution or the institution-affiliated party.

Cornell University

In the event of such consent, or if upon the record made at any such hearing, the agency shall find that any violation or unsafe or unsound practice specified in the notice of charges has been established, the agency may issue and serve upon the depository institution or the institution-affiliated party an order to cease and desist from any such violation or practice.

Cornell University

Vokes said this industry reality showed itself to him as pressure to "step into unsound practice" and to "stop investigations".

Huffington Post

Vokes said this industry reality showed itself to him as pressure to "step into unsound practice" and to "stop investigations". He said TransCanada managers forced him to take "stress leave" before he could finish submitting all of his documentation during an internal audit at the company.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an unsound practice", ensure that you clearly articulate the specific reasons why the practice is considered unsound. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "an unsound practice" without providing specific details. Instead of saying "That's an unsound practice", explain why it's unsound: "That practice is unsound because it relies on outdated data and ignores current market trends."

Linguistic Context

An unsound practice functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something as a flawed or questionable method. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unsound practice" is a noun phrase used to denote a flawed or questionable method. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, although infrequent. Its primary function is to express disapproval, commonly found in academic, news, and scientific sources. When using the phrase, be sure to provide specific reasons why the practice is unsound, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives include "a flawed method" or "a questionable practice", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flawed method

Focuses on the imperfection or defect in the method itself.

a questionable practice

Highlights the doubtfulness or uncertainty surrounding the practice.

a dubious procedure

Emphasizes the uncertainty or suspicion associated with the procedure.

an imprudent action

Stresses the lack of wisdom or foresight in the action.

a risky undertaking

Focuses on the potential for negative consequences or failure.

a misguided approach

Highlights the misdirection or faulty reasoning behind the approach.

a deficient strategy

Emphasizes the lack of necessary qualities or components in the strategy.

an ill-advised measure

Stresses the poor judgment or lack of consideration in the measure.

a problematic tactic

Highlights the potential issues or difficulties associated with the tactic.

an unsustainable process

Focuses on the inability of the process to be maintained or continued long-term.

FAQs

How can I use "an unsound practice" in a sentence?

You can use "an unsound practice" to describe a method or approach that is flawed or not based on sound reasoning or principles. For example: "Relying solely on historical data without considering current market trends is "an unsound practice"."

What are some alternatives to saying "an unsound practice"?

Alternatives include "a flawed method", "a questionable practice", or "a dubious procedure". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes a practice qualify as "an unsound practice"?

A practice is typically considered "an unsound practice" if it carries significant risks, lacks a solid foundation in evidence or logic, or has been shown to produce negative outcomes. It often implies a deviation from accepted standards or best practices.

Is it always negative to describe something as "an unsound practice"?

Yes, the phrase "an unsound practice" carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the practice in question is ill-advised and potentially harmful. It is rarely used in a neutral or positive sense.