ethically dubious act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethically dubious act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that raises moral questions or concerns about its ethical implications. Example: "The company's decision to cut corners on safety regulations was widely regarded as an ethically dubious act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While the score can serve as a summary of many of Walker's own artistic concerns, specifically the legacy of sex and violence in the Antebellum South, it makes for a tough and ethically dubious act.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

McGahn was in charge of ethics for the ethically dubious former House majority leader Rep. Tom Delay (R.-TX), and served as a high-ranking party official.

Huffington Post

But critics say the speculative use of H.I.V. medications is ethically dubious because a growing number of Americans infected with H.I.V. are apparently unable to get the medications.

The New York Times

"In hindsight it is viewed as being ethically dubious; it is regularly used now in exercises concerning ethical problems in psychology".

Independent

The much-criticized Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 — widely known as Dodd-Frank – was a predictable reaction to the ethically dubious practices that had crept into the financial sector in the preceding decade.

The New York Times

That is ethically dubious.

The New York Times

"This encourages and permits ethically dubious behavior".

The New York Times

Is it "ethically dubious" to play with house rules?

The Times

Critics often suggested the work was ethically dubious.

The Guardian

In truth, there is not much that is ethically dubious about making a bacterium from scratch.

The Economist

Indeed, in the Miami case, this is not even the N.C.A.A.'s only ethically dubious stunt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ethically dubious act", ensure that you can clearly articulate the specific ethical principles that the act violates. Provide context to help your reader understand why the act is considered dubious.

Common error

Avoid using overly dramatic or sensational language when describing an "ethically dubious act". Focus on presenting the facts and allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions about the severity of the ethical breach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethically dubious act" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing a specific action as morally questionable or raising ethical concerns. It serves to highlight the problematic nature of the act in relation to established ethical standards.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ethically dubious act" is used to describe an action that raises concerns about its moral correctness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it is relatively rare, appearing primarily in news and media sources. Alternatives such as "morally questionable action" or "ethically problematic behavior" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure that you can clearly articulate the ethical principles being violated and avoid overly dramatic language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Morally questionable action

Emphasizes the moral aspect of the dubiousness, focusing on whether the action aligns with accepted principles of right and wrong.

Ethically questionable behavior

Shifts the focus from a single 'act' to a broader pattern of 'behavior' that is ethically suspect.

Morally ambiguous deed

Highlights the uncertainty or lack of clarity regarding the morality of the 'deed'.

Ethically problematic action

Replaces 'dubious' with 'problematic', suggesting that the action presents ethical difficulties or challenges.

Morally suspect conduct

Uses 'suspect conduct' to imply that the behavior raises suspicions of moral wrongdoing.

Ethically unsound practice

Focuses on the 'practice' as being not based on sound ethical principles.

Morally deficient behavior

Indicates that the behavior is lacking in moral qualities or principles.

Ethically indefensible act

Suggests that the act cannot be justified or defended from an ethical standpoint.

Morally compromised action

Implies that the action has been tainted or weakened in terms of its moral integrity.

Ethically tainted deed

Highlights that the deed is damaged or spoiled by ethical concerns.

FAQs

How can I use "ethically dubious act" in a sentence?

You can use "ethically dubious act" to describe a specific action that raises concerns about its moral correctness. For example: "The company's decision to cut corners on safety was an "ethically dubious act"."

What are some alternatives to "ethically dubious act"?

Alternatives include "morally questionable action", "ethically problematic behavior", or "morally ambiguous deed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ethically dubious act" a formal or informal phrase?

"Ethically dubious act" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, you might consider using a more precise or nuanced alternative depending on the situation.

What makes an act "ethically dubious"?

An act is "ethically dubious" when it violates accepted moral principles or raises questions about its fairness, honesty, or integrity. The specific ethical concerns will vary depending on the context and the values involved.