criminal activities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal activities" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when referring to activities that are illegal according to the law. For example, "The number of criminal activities in the city has been on the rise in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was talk of potentially criminal activities.

The New York Times - Tech

They get involved in criminal activities.

The New Yorker

Syria condemned Israel's "criminal activities".

The Guardian

Sun Yee On's criminal activities have continued.

The Guardian

They are engaging in criminal activities for their own ends.

The Guardian

They hand cases of criminal activities to the police.

The New York Times

Three other UBS employees also have been charged with criminal activities related to the municipal market.

The New York Times

Some suggest that his expertise has been more in criminal activities than in holy warfare.

The New York Times

They applied modern methods to the society's criminal activities & increased profits tremendously.

The New Yorker

Critics accused the party of ruling by coercion and criminal activities, and by purging dissenters.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the traffickers slip through with ease to pursue their criminal activities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "criminal activities", be specific about the type of crime to provide clarity and context. For instance, specify "financial criminal activities" or "cybercriminal activities".

Common error

Avoid using "criminal activities" as a vague catch-all term. Providing specific examples or categories of crimes will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal activities" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object in sentences, referring to the general concept or specific instances of illegal actions. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as describing police investigations or the actions of criminal organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "criminal activities" refers to actions that are illegal and punishable by law. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used. Analysis reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While "criminal activities" is a versatile term, it's important to provide specific details about the type of illegal actions being discussed to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "illegal acts" or "unlawful conduct" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By understanding the context and purpose, writers can effectively use "criminal activities" to convey information about illegal behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegal acts

Focuses on the illegality of the actions, emphasizing their violation of the law.

unlawful conduct

Highlights the improper or illegal nature of the behavior.

illicit behavior

Emphasizes the forbidden or disapproved nature of the actions.

criminal offenses

Specifically refers to actions that are defined as crimes under the law.

felonious acts

Implies the actions are serious crimes, typically felonies.

wrongdoing

A broad term referring to any immoral or illegal behavior.

transgressions of the law

Highlights the violation of legal boundaries.

illegal enterprises

Focuses on organized illegal business ventures.

deviant behavior

Broader term encompassing actions that deviate from social norms, not necessarily illegal.

nefarious deeds

Emphasizes the wickedness and immorality of the actions.

FAQs

How can I use "criminal activities" in a sentence?

You can use "criminal activities" to describe a range of illegal actions. For example, "The police are investigating a surge in criminal activities in the city center".

What are some alternatives to "criminal activities"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "illegal acts", "unlawful conduct", or "illicit behavior".

Is it better to use "criminal activities" or "illegal activities"?

Both "criminal activities" and "illegal activities" are acceptable. "Criminal activities" is slightly more formal and often used in legal contexts.

What's the difference between "criminal activities" and "deviant behavior"?

"Criminal activities" refers specifically to actions that violate the law. "Deviant behavior" encompasses actions that deviate from social norms, which may not necessarily be illegal.