criminal conduct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal conduct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions about illegal activities and behaviors that violate the law. Example: "The defendant was charged with criminal conduct related to the embezzlement of funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is criminal conduct".

The New York Times

"It is about criminal conduct".

The New York Times

Public policy strongly opposes criminal conduct.

The Washington Post

It is in my view frankly close to criminal conduct.

Independent

Such language, they contended, didn't amount to criminal conduct.

The New Yorker

That is the core of the defendant's criminal conduct".

The New York Times - Tech

CAB's remit involves investigating the suspected proceeds of criminal conduct.

The Guardian

"It is about criminal conduct," Pirro said then.

The New York Times - Sports

"This was a stark crossing of the line, engaging in criminal conduct, and that's just wrong".

The New York Times

The banks just admitted to criminal conduct and paid the government a cut of their profits.

The New York Times

The prosecutor added that Mr. Strauss-Kahn had "shown a propensity for impulsive criminal conduct".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, use "criminal conduct" to clearly denote actions that violate the law. It provides a specific and formal tone suitable for legal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "criminal conduct" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "illegal behavior" or "wrongdoing" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal conduct" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes actions or behaviors that are illegal and punishable by law. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criminal conduct" is a grammatically sound noun phrase widely employed to denote actions that violate the law. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and well-suited for formal contexts, particularly in legal and news reporting. While alternatives like "illegal behavior" or "unlawful actions" exist, "criminal conduct" offers a specific, formal tone that is effective in serious discussions. It is important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate term for the situation, avoiding its overuse in informal settings. Top authoritative sources frequently utilizing "criminal conduct" include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, emphasizing its significance in public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal activity

Similar to "criminal conduct" but emphasizes the ongoing nature of the illegal actions.

unlawful behavior

Similar to illegal behavior, focusing on actions that are not permitted by law.

illegal behavior

Replaces "conduct" with "behavior", focusing on the actions themselves being against the law.

unlawful actions

Emphasizes the illegality of the actions taken, providing a more direct synonym.

illicit activities

Highlights the secretive or forbidden nature of the actions.

felonious acts

Specifies that the actions are felonies, indicating more serious crimes.

illegal practices

Focuses on systematic or repeated unlawful behaviors.

illegal operations

Highlights the organized and planned nature of the criminal behavior.

wrongdoing

A more general term for illegal or unethical behavior. Less formal and specific.

malfeasance

Refers to wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

FAQs

How to use "criminal conduct" in a sentence?

"Criminal conduct" is typically used to describe actions that violate the law. For example: "The investigation revealed a pattern of "criminal conduct" within the organization."

What can I say instead of "criminal conduct"?

You can use alternatives like "illegal behavior", "unlawful actions", or "criminal activity" depending on the context.

Is "criminal conduct" a formal term?

Yes, "criminal conduct" is a relatively formal term, suitable for legal, official, or serious contexts. Less formal alternatives exist, such as "wrongdoing" or "illegal behavior".

What's the difference between "criminal conduct" and "criminal activity"?

While similar, "criminal conduct" refers to specific instances of illegal actions, whereas "criminal activity" often suggests a pattern or ongoing involvement in illegal behaviors.