curb corruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curb corruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing efforts to reduce or control corrupt practices in various sectors, such as government, business, or society. Example: "The new legislation aims to curb corruption within public offices and ensure transparency in government dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He derided Mr. Karzai's efforts to curb corruption, saying the president should not appoint corrupt people in the first place.

The New York Times

The president has promised to curb corruption.

The Economist

I wrote about his efforts to curb corruption.

The Economist

American officials complained of Mr Karzai's failure to curb corruption.

The Economist

No African country has done more to curb corruption.

The Economist

Under pressure, he is overseeing a campaign to curb corruption.

The Economist

And, unsurprisingly, bureaucracy is aggravated by elaborate controls intended to curb corruption.

The Economist

In its previous election manifesto, Mr Hun Sen's party promised tough action to curb corruption.

The Economist

Anatoly Serdyukov, the defence minister, has tried to curb corruption among the top brass.

The Economist

Its goals were to counter inefficiency in public service, save time, and curb corruption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is proud of the city's new procurement rules, which cut costs and curb corruption.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing governmental or organizational reforms, use "curb corruption" to emphasize the proactive steps taken to control illicit activities.

Common error

While sophisticated language can be effective, avoid replacing "curb corruption" with overly technical or obscure alternatives that may obscure your message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curb corruption" is as a verb phrase, often used to describe actions taken to mitigate or control dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in positions of power. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "curb corruption" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe efforts to reduce or control dishonest practices. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, but is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic publications. The phrase is neutral in register but tends towards formality. Alternatives such as "combat corruption" or "reduce corruption" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "curb corruption", it's best to emphasize proactive steps and avoid overly technical language that may obscure the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combat corruption

Focuses on actively fighting against corruption, suggesting a more aggressive approach.

reduce corruption

Emphasizes the act of lessening the extent of corruption.

tackle corruption

Highlights the need to confront and deal with corruption directly.

control corruption

Stresses the importance of keeping corruption in check and within limits.

address corruption

Focuses on acknowledging and dealing with the issues related to corruption.

mitigate corruption

Emphasizes lessening the negative impacts or severity of corruption.

suppress corruption

Suggests forcibly preventing or stopping corrupt activities.

clamp down on corruption

Indicates taking strict measures to stop or prevent corruption.

check corruption

Highlights the need to monitor and verify to prevent corruption.

eradicate corruption

Implies a complete removal or elimination of corruption.

FAQs

How to use "curb corruption" in a sentence?

You can use "curb corruption" to describe actions taken to reduce or control corrupt practices. For example, "The government implemented new policies to "curb corruption" within the public sector".

What can I say instead of "curb corruption"?

You can use alternatives like "combat corruption", "reduce corruption", or "tackle corruption" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "curb corruption" or "cure corruption"?

"Curb corruption" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Cure corruption" is less idiomatic; "curb" implies controlling or limiting, while "cure" suggests completely eliminating a problem, which is often unrealistic in the context of corruption.

What's the difference between "curb corruption" and "prevent corruption"?

"Curb corruption" suggests controlling or limiting existing corruption, while "prevent corruption" implies stopping it from happening in the first place. The choice depends on whether you're addressing ongoing corruption or implementing measures to avoid future incidents.