criminal choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or action that is illegal or morally wrong. Example: "His criminal choice to engage in fraud ultimately led to his arrest and conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some asked, should the fact that you made a criminal choice earlier in life negate any choice you might want to make at the end of life?

Huffington Post

As argued by Taylor (2008), media reporting has more than just discursive effects because its representations of illicit drug use primarily as a criminal choice, rather than as a public health concern, have contributed, in part, to the social exclusion of drug users from mainstream society.

Critical Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because these developmental factors influence their criminal choices, young wrongdoers are less blameworthy than adults under conventional criminal law conceptions of mitigation.

Columbia University

"The defendant blames everyone from the special counsel's office to his Ukrainian clients for his own criminal choices," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.

The New York Times

First, as the Supreme court recognized in Roper v. Simmons, adolescents, due to cognitive and psycho-social immaturity, make criminal choices that are less culpable than those of adults.

Columbia University

"For Kilpatrick similarly to move forward," prosecutors wrote, "he will need to recognize and accept the true nature of his wrongdoings -- how many people he let down and exploited, the enormous consequences of his criminal choices and the fact that he was not the victim but the cause of the painful circumstances now faces".

Huffington Post

If you're a criminal, the choice about which to go for is pretty simple.' Police also fear that the links between trafficking and international organised crime mean that the sex trade is being used to finance other criminal activities.

The Guardian

All you have to do is just send them over your criminal of choice and for $9.99 you get your very own killer jewelry.

Vice

These guys spend their days among electronic circuits, coils, and cables because since 2007 Romania's courts have been giving criminals a choice between prison and community service smashing old stereos, telephones, laptops, and TVs in these warehouses.

Vice

They assumed criminals made choices to pick places that could be modeled by random utility maximization.

Security Informatics

While the American public has repeatedly rejected laws that would make abortion illegal and treat women like criminals, anti-choice lawmakers in twenty-four states have resorted to chipping away at abortion rights by making access more difficult by mandating counseling and waiting periods.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criminal choice", consider the context. Is it about the decision to commit a crime, or the options available to someone already in a criminal situation? Tailor your language for clarity.

Common error

While "criminal choice" is understandable, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "illegal option" or "unlawful decision" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "criminal" modifies the noun "choice". It describes the act of selecting an illegal or unlawful option. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criminal choice" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of choosing an illegal or unlawful action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears mostly in news and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, consider if alternative phrases like "illegal option" or "unlawful decision" might offer more precision, especially in formal settings. While the phrase is understandable in various contexts, clarity should guide your selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegal option

Replaces "choice" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the illegality of the decision.

unlawful decision

Similar to "illegal option" but uses "unlawful" to emphasize the violation of laws.

criminal act selection

More formal and emphasizes the selection of an illegal act.

wrongful election

Emphasizes the moral wrongness of the choice.

criminal course of action

Focuses on the path taken as a result of the criminal decision.

illegal alternative

Highlights that the "choice" is an alternative that is against the law.

criminal route

Uses 'route' as a metaphor for a path or decision.

transgression selection

A more elevated, formal way of saying 'selection of a criminal act'.

illicit decision

Replaces "criminal" with "illicit", suggesting disapproval or moral condemnation.

criminal determination

Uses determination to emphasize the resolution to commit a crime.

FAQs

What does "criminal choice" mean?

A "criminal choice" refers to a decision or action that is illegal and punishable by law. It implies a conscious decision to engage in criminal activity.

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

You might say, "Engaging in fraud was a "criminal choice" that led to severe consequences" or "The suspect made a "criminal choice" when he decided to rob the bank."

What are some alternatives to "criminal choice"?

You can use alternatives like "illegal option", "unlawful decision", or "criminal act selection" depending on the context.

Is "criminal choice" a formal or informal term?

"Criminal choice" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or legal writing, more precise terms like "illegal option" might be preferred.