engage in misconduct

USAGE SUMMARY

"engage in misconduct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual or a group of people behaving wrongfully or inappropriately. Example Sentence: The employees were found to have engaged in misconduct and were immediately dismissed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Even lawyers who engage in misconduct are unlikely to face penalties.

The New York Times

If prosecutors could not show a single overarching plan to engage in misconduct at SAC, then each agreement would have to be charged separately.

The New York Times

"The larger purpose of this litigation is for pension funds to increase recoveries and to increase the pain on public companies and corporate officers that engage in misconduct".

The New York Times

The results of a post-experiment survey indicated that those who were not proctored perceived to have experienced greater levels of opportunity to engage in misconduct than those who were monitored by a Web-based proctor.

Computers & Education

Egan, Matvos, and Seru (2018) found many financial advisors repeatedly engage in misconduct, but they seem to suffer little career consequences because some firms don't seem to mind.

Harvard University

In Britain, the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards suggested adding a new law to allow the prosecution of British bank executives when they recklessly engage in misconduct that puts the bank and its customers at risk of severe losses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The report and its recommendations will be reviewed by a second investigative panel and then forwarded to the police commissioner, who will make the final decision on whether the officers engaged in misconduct.

The New York Times

Either people were mistaken, or people were engaging in misconduct.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's about whether prosecutors and police deliberately engaged in misconduct".

The New York Times

Scholars who have engaged in misconduct can be exposed and disciplined through fair procedures.

Princeton University

In 2010, the Office of Research Integrity at the federal Department of Health and Human Services ruled that Dr. Cheskis had engaged in misconduct, having falsified the figures.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing professional ethics, use "engage in misconduct" to clearly denote a violation of established codes of conduct.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal language when simpler alternatives like "do wrong" or "misbehave" can effectively convey the same meaning in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in misconduct" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of participating in inappropriate or unlawful behavior. As Ludwig AI explains, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engage in misconduct" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes participation in inappropriate or unlawful behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Primarily found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives include "commit wrongdoing" and "participate in unethical behavior". When using "engage in misconduct", consider the formality of the context and avoid overuse in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit wrongdoing

Focuses on the act of doing something wrong, emphasizing the commitment to the action.

participate in unethical behavior

Highlights the unethical aspect of the behavior, indicating involvement.

act unlawfully

Focuses on the violation of laws or regulations.

violate ethical standards

Highlights the breach of accepted moral principles.

be involved in malpractice

Specifically refers to professional negligence or misconduct.

transgress rules

Focuses on the breaking of established rules or guidelines.

indulge in impropriety

Suggests a deliberate and perhaps pleasurable involvement in something inappropriate.

perpetrate an offense

Emphasizes the act of committing a violation or crime.

breach protocol

Emphasizes the violation of established procedures or customs.

behave inappropriately

A more general term for actions that are not suitable or acceptable.

FAQs

What does "engage in misconduct" mean?

The phrase "engage in misconduct" refers to participating in or committing actions that are wrong, inappropriate, or violate established rules or standards of behavior.

How can I use "engage in misconduct" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's actions, for example: "The investigation revealed that several employees "engaged in misconduct"."

What are some alternatives to "engage in misconduct"?

Alternatives include "commit wrongdoing", "participate in unethical behavior", or "act unlawfully", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "engage in misconduct" or "commit a misdeed"?

"Engage in misconduct" is typically used in more formal or professional contexts, while "commit a misdeed" might be used in more general or informal situations.