ethical violation

USAGE SUMMARY

"ethical violation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an action which goes against accepted ethical standards or codes of conduct. For example: "The company was fined for an ethical violation involving the misuse of customer data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The study will be terminated if the principal investigator, upon advice from the DSMC, judges it necessary for medical safety, for instance if a causal relationship between the study intervention and SAEs is established or there is a serious ethical violation according to the Ethics Guideline for Clinical Research Ministry of Healthh, Labour and Welfare, revised in 2008).

BMJ Open

Besides violating U.S.C. 1519, this conduct constitutes an ethical violation.

TechCrunch

In a Capitol Hill news conference on Thursday, Mr. Rangel said that the ethics committee would find that he had committed no ethical violation.

The New York Times

He said he felt that Mr. Ward had clearly committed an ethical violation and that the executive committee's motion to accept the ethics panel's finding "did not address the underlying distrust and dysfunction within the U.S.O.C".

The New York Times - Sports

The freebies for the wife amounted to an ethical violation.

The New York Times

But he added that ethical violation or not it was a bad idea.

The New York Times

In effect, Dr. Kim said, people "reframe the ethical violation as a competence violation".

The New York Times - Health

Is it an ethical violation to make a photograph of suffering beautiful?

The New Yorker

Unsatisfied, I wished her to declare that the encounter had been abusive, an ethical violation.

The New Yorker

Torture is an egregious ethical violation that should never be permitted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The House ethics committee's hearing on 13 charges of ethical violations by Representative Charles B. Rangel is the latest example.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics involving ethics, provide specific details about the "ethical violation" to avoid ambiguity. This helps ensure clarity and avoids misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using the term "ethical violation" without providing context. Always specify what ethical principle was violated and how, as vagueness can undermine the seriousness of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethical violation" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific instance or type of transgression against established ethical standards. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ethical violation" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that refers to a breach of ethical principles or codes of conduct. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, highlighting its frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While alternatives such as "breach of ethics" or "professional misconduct" exist, "ethical violation" remains a direct and widely understood term. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide specific details about the violation, avoiding generalizations that could undermine the issue's seriousness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breach of ethics

Focuses on the act of breaking ethical rules, similar to an ethical violation.

ethics breach

A more concise way to describe a break in ethical conduct.

ethical breach

A simple reordering of words but semantically identical.

unethical behavior

Describes actions that do not align with ethical principles.

professional misconduct

Specifically refers to violations within a professional context.

violation of code of conduct

Refers to a specific breach of established ethical guidelines.

failure to uphold ethical standards

Focuses on the failure to maintain expected ethical levels.

conflict of interest

Highlights a situation where personal interests compromise ethical duties.

lapse in ethics

Implies a temporary failure in ethical behavior.

moral transgression

Emphasizes the moral aspect of the violation.

FAQs

How is "ethical violation" used in a sentence?

You can use "ethical violation" to describe a specific instance where ethical principles have been breached, such as, "The investigation revealed a serious "ethical violation" within the company's financial department".

What are some alternatives to "ethical violation"?

Alternatives include "breach of ethics", "professional misconduct", or "conflict of interest", depending on the specific situation.

What distinguishes an "ethical violation" from a legal one?

An "ethical violation" refers to a breach of moral principles or codes of conduct, while a legal violation is a breach of laws and regulations. An action can be both an ethical and a legal violation.

How can I identify an "ethical violation" in my workplace?

Look for situations where policies are ignored, conflicts of interest arise, or individuals are treated unfairly. Familiarize yourself with your company's code of ethics and report any suspected violations through proper channels.