corrupt intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

"corrupt intentions" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe motives that are dishonest or unethical. Example: "His corrupt intentions were evident in the way he manipulated the situation." Alternative expressions include "dishonest motives" and "malicious intent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We finally invoke suspicions of terrorist activity or corrupt intentions.

Yale University

Federal law criminalizes actions that impede official investigations and can include actions that would otherwise be lawful if prosecutors can prove the defendant had corrupt intentions.

The New York Times

Even though Congress has made it a crime to impede a pending or potential grand-jury investigation or trial with corrupt intentions, they said, that statute cannot be applied to Mr. Trump, no matter what the evidence shows about his actions and intentions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They deny any corrupt intention.

The New York Times - Sports

As Jones shows, slavery corrupts good intentions and underwrites bad ones, yet allows decency the odd occasion -- but only by creating such an enormous need for it.

The New York Times - Books

We all try to make the kind of financial decisions that lead to healthy savings accounts, but these five things can corrupt our best intentions.

Huffington Post

Nor is it a surprise that the primary villain in the play is its one white character, Dr. John Douglas (J. Paul Boehmer), the government doctor whose professional ambition and racial bias easily corrupt his initially good intentions.

The New York Times

Some of my previous roles have been pure evil, others seem corrupt but have good intentions.

Huffington Post

If director Comey suspected that the president's intentions were corrupt would it have not been more ethically appropriate to say that out loud to the President's face, and not run off with a university acquaintance who was willing to act surreptitiously as a scold upon those unproved assumptions of corrupt motive?

Huffington Post

The civil liberties argument, as best I understand it, appears to be that since a president has the authority to terminate or otherwise interfere with an investigation within the Executive Branch, it doesn't matter whether his intentions are corrupt or innocent.

Huffington Post

The Afghan government is not pockmarked by corruption but systematically corrupt — and, increasingly and despite many good intentions, our war effort looks that way, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "corrupt intentions" when you want to emphasize that someone's underlying motives are morally compromised and aimed at personal gain or unethical outcomes. It suggests a deliberate choice to act against principles of honesty and integrity.

Common error

Be careful not to use "corrupt intentions" interchangeably with simply having 'bad' or 'misguided' intentions. "Corrupt" specifically implies dishonesty, bribery, or a violation of ethical or legal standards for personal gain, not just general wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "corrupt intentions" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates that it's used to describe the underlying motivations behind actions, particularly when those motivations involve dishonesty or unethical behavior. It typically modifies or clarifies a verb related to planning or executing actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Academia

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "corrupt intentions" effectively conveys dishonest or unethical motives. Ludwig's analysis reveals its grammatical correctness, though infrequent usage, primarily in news and academic contexts. While semantically related to phrases like "dishonest motives" and "malicious intent", "corrupt intentions" specifically denotes a moral compromise for personal gain. When writing, remember that "corrupt" implies more than just 'bad'; it signifies a breach of ethical or legal standards. The provided examples and distinctions should guide you in employing this phrase with precision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and can add emphasis to one's underlying motives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dishonest motives

Focuses on the lack of honesty as the primary characteristic, shifting the emphasis from corruption.

Unethical purposes

Highlights the violation of ethical principles, offering a more formal tone.

Malicious intent

Emphasizes the harmful nature of the intention, suggesting a desire to cause damage.

Underhanded schemes

Focuses on the secretive and devious nature of the plans, rather than the corruption of the intentions themselves.

Deceitful aims

Highlights the element of deception and misleading others to achieve a goal.

Insincere objectives

Implies a lack of genuineness in the stated goals, suggesting hidden agendas.

Treacherous designs

Suggests a betrayal of trust and a willingness to harm others to achieve the desired outcome.

Crooked aspirations

Uses a more informal and figurative term ("crooked") to describe the unethical nature of the ambitions.

Immoral motivations

Focuses specifically on the lack of moral principles driving the actions.

Scheming mind

Shifts the focus to the person and their planning, replacing the term 'intentions' with a description of the person.

FAQs

How can I describe "corrupt intentions" in simpler terms?

You can use phrases like "dishonest motives", "unethical aims", or "deceitful purposes" as simpler alternatives to "corrupt intentions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say 'corrupt intentions'?

While intentions inherently imply a motive, using "corrupt" adds a layer of specificity, highlighting the unethical or illegal nature of those intentions. It's not strictly redundant, but rather emphasizes the moral dimension.

What's the difference between "corrupt intentions" and "malicious intent"?

"Corrupt intentions" usually imply a violation of ethical or legal standards for personal gain, whereas "malicious intent" suggests a desire to cause harm or damage to others. The former is about dishonesty, the latter about harm.

How to use "corrupt intentions" in a sentence?

You can use "corrupt intentions" to describe someone's actions. For example, "The investigation revealed the politician's corrupt intentions behind the land deal."