commit wrongdoings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commit wrongdoings" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone committing an act that is considered wrong or illegal. For example: He was found guilty of committing wrongdoings.

✓ Grammatically correct

Britannica

News & Media

SEP

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Zenran had become embroiled in a dispute with Shinran's followers in the Kantō region over provocative beliefs and behaviour, such as the assertion by some of license to commit wrongdoings.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She doubts that culpable individuals intend to commit wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

The Internet makes it easier to commit wrongdoing and harder to conceal it.

The New York Times

But in Massachusetts, some of the most relevant laws, relating to conspiracy or to being an accessory to a crime, would require prosecutors to prove that archdiocesan officials intended to commit wrongdoing, not just that they were grossly negligent.

The New York Times

While the current focus of the legislation is on accounting-related changes, Democrats want to expand the measure to make it simpler to prosecute securities fraud, aid plaintiffs who want to bring private securities fraud lawsuits against corporations, and make it easier for securities regulators to levy fines and impose other penalties on executives and directors who commit wrongdoing.

The New York Times

The top enforcement official at the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a speech today that in the wake of Enron's collapse, the S.E.C. would seek greater penalties against officers and directors of publicly traded companies that commit wrongdoing and that it would ask Congress to give it more authority in this area.

The New York Times

Later, Rose denied committing "wrongdoings" when asked by a photographer if he would like to say anything to his accusers, according to TMZ.

HuffPost

In her Thursday letter, Lofgren requested an immediate start to the investigation to determine whether anyone at DHS committed wrongdoings in discussing the "opt-out" issue with local governments.

Huffington Post

Another Freidman attorney has denied that he committed wrongdoing.

The Washington Post

They would lose their bonuses if profit fell or they committed wrongdoing, he said.

The New York Times

There will be further investigation, and "anyone who has committed wrongdoing will be punished," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize the intentional nature of an act of wrongdoing, consider using the phrase "commit wrongdoings" to highlight the actor's deliberate choice to engage in unethical or illegal behavior.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "commit wrongdoings" might sound slightly awkward in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "perpetrate illegal acts" or "engage in misconduct" for a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit wrongdoings" functions as a verb phrase, where "commit" is the verb and "wrongdoings" serves as the direct object. It expresses the action of performing unethical or illegal acts, similar to the expressions found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit wrongdoings" is a grammatically correct way to describe the act of performing unethical or illegal actions. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse sources such as news media and encyclopedias. Alternative phrases like "engage in misconduct" or "carry out illegal acts" can provide more sophisticated options, especially in formal contexts. Remember that "commit wrongdoings" carries a stronger connotation of deliberate malfeasance compared to milder terms like "make mistakes."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry out illegal acts

Directly states the performance of unlawful actions.

take part in illegal activities

Highlights involvement and participation in unlawful activities.

engage in misconduct

Focuses on improper behavior, often in a professional setting.

perform illicit acts

Emphasizes the secretive or forbidden nature of the actions.

indulge in wrongdoing

Suggests a deliberate choice to participate in unethical behavior.

perpetrate misdeeds

Emphasizes the act of carrying out bad actions.

be guilty of offenses

Points to the state of having committed offenses.

behave unlawfully

Highlights the violation of laws and regulations.

violate the law

Directly indicates a breach of legal standards.

act illegally

A more general way of expressing illegal behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "commit wrongdoings" in a sentence?

You can use "commit wrongdoings" to describe actions that are illegal or unethical. For instance, "The investigation revealed that the company's executives did "commit wrongdoings" over several years."

What are some alternatives to "commit wrongdoings"?

Alternatives include "engage in misconduct", "perpetrate misdeeds", or "carry out illegal acts". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "commit a wrongdoing" or "commit wrongdoings"?

"Commit a wrongdoing" refers to a single instance, while "commit wrongdoings" implies multiple acts. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of offenses.

What's the difference between "commit wrongdoings" and "make mistakes"?

"Commit wrongdoings" implies deliberate unethical or illegal actions, whereas "make mistakes" suggests unintentional errors. The former carries a much stronger connotation of moral or legal culpability.