criminal elements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal elements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or groups involved in illegal activities or crime. Example: "The police are working hard to dismantle the networks of criminal elements operating in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We worry about criminal elements".

The New York Times - Tech

It was controlled by criminal elements and Islamic extremists.

The New York Times

"If there are Latino criminal elements, get rid of it.

The New York Times

Indeed, unregulated gambling routinely attracted criminal elements looking to make easy money, and many scandals resulted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"These are criminal elements," said Lt. Col. George Krivo, a spokesman for the military here.

The New York Times

Juventus was complicit in large-scale ticket-touting and conducted business, albeit unwittingly, with criminal elements.

The Guardian

Poverty, the exposure to lack of education, exposure to criminal elements".

The New York Times

"If they were commonly in use by criminal elements, I would say fine," he added.

The New York Times

The government blamed criminal elements masquerading as supporters of President Mugabe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

After elections, he said, "these half-criminal elements show up, stuffing their pockets with money and manipulating society and the elected governors".

The New York Times

Until ununoctium is rehabilitated, it is tempting to relegate it to what the humorists called the Criminal Elements.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criminal elements", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific type of illegal activity involved to avoid ambiguity. Consider specifying whether you are referring to organized crime, petty theft, or cybercrime.

Common error

Avoid using "criminal elements" to describe entire communities or demographics. This can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and lead to unfair generalizations. Instead, focus on specific individuals or groups engaged in illegal actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal elements" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it refers to individuals or groups engaged in illegal activities. It is used to identify those who operate outside the law.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criminal elements" is a frequently used noun phrase to describe individuals or groups involved in illegal activities. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's essential to use it carefully to avoid harmful generalizations and stereotypes. Consider alternatives like "lawbreakers" or "offenders" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lawbreakers

Emphasizes the act of breaking the law.

offenders

Focuses on the transgression and the person committing it.

gangsters

Implies organized crime and gang-related activities.

mobsters

Similar to gangsters, specifically referring to members of a mafia-like organization.

outlaws

Suggests individuals operating outside the bounds of the law, often with a historical connotation.

delinquents

Often refers to young or petty criminals.

malefactors

A more formal term for wrongdoers.

rogue actors

Implies unpredictable and harmful behavior outside established norms.

illicit groups

Highlights the unlawful nature of the group's activities.

underworld figures

Focuses on the hidden and shadowy nature of criminal involvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "criminal elements" to describe individuals or groups involved in illegal activities. For example, "The police are investigating the activities of "criminal elements" in the city".

What are some alternatives to saying "criminal elements"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lawbreakers", "offenders", or "gangsters".

Is it appropriate to use "criminal elements" to describe a group of people?

It is appropriate if you are referring to individuals or groups specifically involved in illegal activities. However, avoid using it to generalize about entire communities or demographics, as this can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

What is the difference between "criminal elements" and "delinquents"?

"Criminal elements" generally refers to individuals or groups involved in serious illegal activities, while "delinquents" often refers to young or petty criminals. The severity of the crime is the key difference.