behaving suspiciously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behaving suspiciously" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe behavior that makes you think someone is up to something. For example, "The man was behaving suspiciously when he kept looking over his shoulder and avoiding eye contact with the security guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And yet it must be done: "Ford says he watched"; "who Ford says watched". "She thought they were behaving suspiciously"; "who she thought were behaving suspiciously". Happy Thanksgiving.

The New Yorker

Such data can show when a vessel is behaving suspiciously in a prohibited area.

The Economist

A drunken man is reported behaving suspiciously in an underground car park in East London.

Independent

"I'm keeping track of people wearing backpacks or behaving suspiciously in any way whatsoever," she said.

The Washington Post

It's either because they're behaving suspiciously or it's because we've had a tip-off.

The Guardian - Sport

We were just talking about how he was behaving suspiciously when the explosion went off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

ENDMal identifies the program that behaves suspiciously in end-hosts and similarly between a group of suspicious programs in a wide area as malicious.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

The Indian authorities say the Italian marines had behaved suspiciously on the fateful day.

The New York Times

82 Ill.atp.3d at 755-757, 403 N.E.2d at 82-83. 2. Lance does not appear to have behaved suspiciously in flying down to Florida.

Cornell University

Their lawyers laid much of the blame for the shooting on Mr. Diallo himself, saying he had behaved suspiciously and had not obeyed the officers' commands to stop.

The New York Times

Mr. Ridge said, for example, that he would not be the official to decide whether the military should shoot down a commercial airliner that behaved suspiciously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing behavior, be specific about what actions constitute "behaving suspiciously". Avoid vague generalizations that could lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

Don't just state someone is "behaving suspiciously"; elaborate on how they are behaving suspiciously. Provide concrete examples of their actions to justify the assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behaving suspiciously" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or entity) to indicate that their actions are causing suspicion. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behaving suspiciously" is a commonly used adjective phrase that describes actions arousing doubt or distrust. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently found in News & Media contexts, used to describe various scenarios warranting scrutiny. Alternatives such as "acting suspiciously" or "behaving oddly" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, provide specifics about the behavior to avoid vagueness. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility across different registers, primarily in neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting suspiciously

Uses a different verb while retaining the core meaning of suspicious conduct.

behaving oddly

Replaces "suspiciously" with a more general term for strange behavior.

acting strangely

Similar to "behaving oddly" but uses "strange" instead.

behaving unusually

Indicates behavior that deviates from the norm, suggesting suspicion.

acting in a suspicious manner

Adds formality and emphasizes the way someone is acting.

conducting oneself suspiciously

More formal and emphasizes self-conduct.

behaving in a questionable way

Suggests the behavior raises questions or doubts.

raising suspicion

Focuses on the effect of the behavior rather than the behavior itself.

giving cause for suspicion

Highlights that the behavior is creating a reason to be suspicious.

arousing suspicion

Emphasizes the behavior is actively creating a feeling of suspicion.

FAQs

How can I use "behaving suspiciously" in a sentence?

You can use "behaving suspiciously" to describe someone's actions that raise doubts or concerns, for example, "The man was "behaving suspiciously" near the bank, pacing back and forth and looking around constantly."

What are some alternatives to "behaving suspiciously"?

Alternatives include "acting suspiciously", "behaving oddly", or "raising suspicion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "behaving suspiciously" or "acting suspiciously"?

Both "behaving suspiciously" and "acting suspiciously" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice depends on personal preference as they have similar meanings.

What does it mean when someone is described as "behaving suspiciously"?

It means they are exhibiting actions or mannerisms that suggest they might be involved in illicit or questionable activities. Their behavior deviates from what is considered normal or expected in a given context.