ethically incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ethically incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that violate ethical standards or principles. Example: "The company's decision to cut corners on safety measures was deemed ethically incorrect by the industry watchdog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Am I ethically incorrect in permitting these people to meet my daughter?

The New York Times - Magazine

Though I have no doubt that the money collected is much needed and is being used properly, the method of collecting it remains morally and ethically incorrect.

The New York Times

Most people (over 70%) held misbeliefs about the aetiology of mental illness, trusting that ethically incorrect thinking or the arousal of violent emotions causes mental illnesses.

BMJ Open

Given existing evidence of effective treatment of ADHD in adults, it was considered ethically incorrect to conduct a randomised controlled trial with a condition in which ADHD is not treated.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A DNA clause is an example of a system-based rule – a written instructive that health workers should conform to – and the interpretation of any rule can, in principle, be experienced incorrect in the sense that actions made in accordance with the rule can be conceived as ethically wrong [ 10].

BMC Medical Ethics

"Ethically it's incorrect to do that because we're inducing another injury on a healthy individual".

The Guardian

Items with the lowest correct response rates were item 2, 'Mental illnesses are caused by ethically (or politically) incorrect thinking' (23.59%); item 4, 'All mental disorders are due to arousal of violent emotion' (27.34%) and item 9, 'Psychological/psychiatric disorders can never be prevented' (41.81%).

BMJ Open

Ethically, they have failed.

The New York Times - Books

Did she behave ethically?

The New York Times - Magazine

If incorrect.

The New Yorker

Politically incorrect?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ethically incorrect" to address actions, decisions, or systemic issues rather than personal character traits, focusing on the ethical implications of specific behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "ethically incorrect" as a blanket statement without providing specific reasons or evidence. Ethical judgments require a nuanced understanding of the situation and the principles involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethically incorrect" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that deviates from accepted ethical standards. It typically expresses a judgment about the morality or ethicality of an action, decision, or belief, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ethically incorrect" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something that violates ethical standards. Ludwig's analysis shows it appearing in various sources like news and science, with a neutral to formal register. While relatively rare, it serves to express disapproval of actions or decisions deemed unethical. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that violate ethical standards or principles, and suggests alternatives like "morally wrong" or "unethical". When employing the phrase, ensure that the ethical context is clearly defined and supported with specific evidence to avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethically wrong

A more direct synonym, simply replacing "incorrect" with "wrong".

ethically improper

Implies a violation of established ethical codes or norms.

morally wrong

Changes the emphasis from ethics to broader moral principles.

ethically unacceptable

Emphasizes that the action or belief does not meet ethical standards.

ethically unsound

Emphasizes the lack of a solid ethical basis or foundation.

ethically flawed

Indicates the presence of an ethical problem or weakness.

ethically unjustifiable

Highlights that there's no good reason to consider the action acceptable from ethical standpoint.

ethically indefensible

Suggests that the action cannot be defended based on ethical principles.

ethically dubious

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about the ethical nature of something.

ethically compromised

Suggests that something has been tainted or damaged from an ethical viewpoint.

FAQs

What does "ethically incorrect" mean?

The term "ethically incorrect" describes something that violates established ethical standards or principles. It's often used to describe actions or decisions that are considered morally wrong within a specific ethical framework.

What can I say instead of "ethically incorrect"?

You can use alternatives like "morally wrong", "ethically improper", or "ethically dubious" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "ethically incorrect" the same as "illegal"?

No, something that is "ethically incorrect" is not necessarily illegal. Ethical considerations go beyond legal requirements, encompassing broader principles of right and wrong. An action can be legal but still "ethically wrong".

How do I use "ethically incorrect" in a sentence?

When using "ethically incorrect", provide context by specifying the violated ethical principle. For instance, "The company's decision was ethically incorrect because it prioritized profit over employee safety."