engage in wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

"engage in wrongdoing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to participate in or commit an act that is considered wrong or immoral. Example: The company's CEO was caught engaging in wrongdoing by embezzling funds from the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Stepien's attorney has previously said his client did not engage in wrongdoing of any kind.

The Guardian

In the prepared testimony, he said the comptroller's office "would welcome a legislative change in this area that would facilitate our ability to take enforcement actions directly against independent contractors that engage in wrongdoing".

The New York Times

[C1.] The decision in the Andersen case underscores a rule in white-collar cases: a jury cannot properly convict without first being required to conclude that a defendant had intended to engage in wrongdoing.

The New York Times

The recession increases the risk that such groups of rogue employees will be tempted to engage in wrongdoing to protect their jobs or bolster their finances.At the same time, the volume of electronic communication is exploding, complicating efforts to spot misconduct.

The Economist

In other words, humans engage in wrongdoing through a sort of self deception in which they allow themselves to ignore the promptings of their moral sense, and become motivated solely by their physical desires for sex, food, wealth, etc.

SEP

This means that most investigators who engage in wrongdoing, even serious wrongdoing, continue to conduct research at their institutions.

Clinical and Translational Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(a) "Jimmy is engaged in wrongdoing".

The New York Times

Mr. Hanley maintained that he had not engaged in wrongdoing.

The New York Times

One trigger can be that employees engaged in wrongdoing that helped to inflate their pay.

The New York Times

There is no evidence that Mr. Grimm engaged in wrongdoing there.

The New York Times

Some clients reportedly suspected that Mr Madoff was engaged in wrongdoing, but not the sort that would endanger their money.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engage in wrongdoing" when you want to emphasize the act of participating in unethical or illegal behavior, particularly when the specific nature of the wrongdoing isn't fully defined.

Common error

Avoid using "engage in wrongdoing" when a more specific term like "embezzle", "defraud", or "bribe" would provide clearer and more impactful communication. Choose the most precise language possible to accurately convey the nature of the misconduct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in wrongdoing" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of participating in or committing unethical or illegal acts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in news and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engage in wrongdoing" correctly describes the act of participating in unethical or illegal activities. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English. Its primary function is to highlight actions that deviate from established ethical or legal standards, often within formal or investigative contexts. While alternatives like "commit misconduct" or "act unethically" exist, "engage in wrongdoing" provides a comprehensive term suitable for various situations. It's crucial to select the most precise language to ensure clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit misconduct

Focuses more broadly on improper behavior, which may not necessarily be illegal.

perpetrate an offense

Implies a more formal or legalistic context, often referring to a specific violation of rules or laws.

behave illicitly

Highlights the unlawful nature of the actions, emphasizing a breach of legal or moral standards.

act unethically

Specifically relates to violating ethical principles, which might not always be legally punishable.

participate in corruption

Narrows the scope to corrupt practices, suggesting abuse of power or trust for personal gain.

be complicit in illegal activity

Suggests involvement in an unlawful operation, often implying a lesser role than the primary actor.

indulge in malpractice

Implies professional negligence or misconduct, often within a specific field like medicine or law.

violate regulations

Specifically focuses on the infringement of established rules and regulatory frameworks.

transgress norms

Refers to deviating from accepted social standards or customs, which may not be codified into law.

stray from rectitude

Indicates a deviation from moral uprightness, suggesting a loss of integrity or virtue.

FAQs

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

"Engage in wrongdoing" is used to describe the action of participating in unethical or illegal activities. For example: "The investigation revealed that several employees "engaged in wrongdoing" by falsifying financial records."

What are some alternatives to "engage in wrongdoing"?

Alternatives include "commit misconduct", "perpetrate an offense", or "act unethically". The best choice depends on the specific context and the type of misconduct being described.

Is it better to say "engaging in wrongdoing" or "engage in wrongdoing"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "engaging in wrongdoing" typically describes an ongoing action, while "engage in wrongdoing" is more general. For instance, "He was caught engaging in wrongdoing" versus "The policy prohibits employees from engage in wrongdoing".

What's the difference between "engage in wrongdoing" and "commit a crime"?

"Engage in wrongdoing" is a broader term that includes unethical behavior, while "commit a crime" specifically refers to illegal actions punishable by law. Wrongdoing may not always be illegal, but all crimes are considered wrongdoing.