dubious activities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious activities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are questionable, suspicious, or not entirely honest. Example: "The investigation revealed several dubious activities that raised concerns about the company's practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Already, the private suits are revealing dubious activities.

The New York Times

It is wrong to commit burglary (see Watergate), and wrong to lie about, or try to conceal, dubious activities (ditto).

The Economist

Sen. McWhatshisname carelessly dropped a remark the other day that revealed the exact nature of his dubious activities.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, July 18, 1953 P. 15 Sen. McWhatshisname carelessly dropped a remark the other day that revealed the exact nature of his dubious activities.

The New Yorker

This prevarication aroused suspicions which were not allayed by intelligence suggesting that dubious activities were taking place at Yongbyon, about 45 miles north of Pyongyang.

The Guardian

Despite multiple arrests stemming from the phone hacking accusations so far, not one independent board member has made a statement denouncing the company's dubious activities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Dubious activity either in-play, or on side markets.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, as now, banking was a morally dubious activity.

Independent

But talking of dubious activity, what is Dark Santa?

Independent

But the exchange also attracted a fair share of dubious activity.

The New York Times

"Posthumous psychiatric diagnosis is a dubious activity," he warns, before adding, "Madness is of an age, not for all time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to imply actions are questionable but not definitively proven illegal.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious activities" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "suspicious behavior" or "questionable actions" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious activities" functions as a noun phrase where "dubious" is an adjective modifying the noun "activities". Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable phrase to describe questionable actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious activities" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe questionable or suspicious actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While remaining relatively formal, it offers a nuanced way to express concerns without direct accusations. When using this phrase, consider varying your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and ensure the tone aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable actions

Replaces "dubious" with "questionable", maintaining a similar level of suspicion.

suspicious behavior

Substitutes both words to highlight the behavioral aspect of the activity.

shady dealings

Uses a more informal term, "shady", to describe questionable transactions.

fishy operations

Employs "fishy" for a colloquial sense of something being untrustworthy.

dodgy practices

Replaces "dubious" with "dodgy", which carries a similar meaning of being potentially dishonest.

illicit acts

Uses "illicit" to emphasize the unlawful nature of the activities.

underhanded tactics

Focuses on the methods used, implying deceit and unfairness.

unethical conduct

Highlights the moral dimension, suggesting the actions violate ethical standards.

irregular proceedings

Emphasizes a departure from standard or legal procedures.

nefarious schemes

Employs "nefarious" to denote wickedness and evil intent.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious activities" to describe actions that are questionable or suspicious. For example, "The investigation uncovered several "dubious activities" that raised concerns about the company's financial practices."

What are some alternatives to saying "dubious activities"?

Alternatives include "questionable actions", "suspicious behavior", or "shady dealings", depending on the specific context.

Is "dubious activities" formal or informal?

"Dubious activities" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. For more informal contexts, you might consider using "fishy operations" or "shady dealings".

What's the difference between "dubious activities" and "illegal activities"?

"Dubious activities" suggests that the actions are questionable or suspicious but not necessarily proven to be against the law. "Illegal activities" indicates that the actions are definitely against the law.