ethically questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

"ethically questionable" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that may not be considered ethical or morally acceptable. Example sentence: His research into the effects of climate change on the natural environment has raised some ethically questionable issues.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ordinarily, the ethical status of this kind of communicative pressure is ethically questionable (4).

BMC Medical Ethics

I think that's extraordinarily ethically questionable.

The New York Times

Is buying a purebred dog ethically questionable?

The New York Times - Sports

I think that is ethically questionable.

The Guardian

The Senate's inquiry into Mr. Pickering's nomination has also uncovered several ethically questionable actions.

The New York Times

"It is ethically questionable and certainly insensitive to the larger public interest concerns".

The New York Times

Some Long Island politicians grumbled that the firm's actions were ethically questionable.

The New York Times

Many of his scoops, however, have been criticised as ethically questionable, engendering persistent claims of entrapment.

The Guardian

Like so many others in the technology world, it has has behaved in ethically questionable ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staying in scouting, Judge Lambden wrote, was "ethically questionable for judges everywhere".

The New York Times

They said the move was indicative of an ethically questionable revolving door between regulatory agencies and the companies they oversee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "ethically questionable", be specific about which ethical principles are being challenged. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "ethically questionable" as a blanket term without providing concrete reasons. Always explain the specific ethical concerns involved to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ethically questionable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun's ethical nature is in doubt or open to debate. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and can be used in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying actions, policies, and research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ethically questionable" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express concern or doubt about the ethical nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and can be used in written English. It frequently appears in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's best practice to specify which ethical principles are being challenged. Alternatives such as "morally dubious" or "of questionable ethics" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoid overusing the phrase without proper justification. The phrase is used to express concern, invite scrutiny regarding the morality or ethical soundness of a particular action, and signal a need for further consideration or justification. Overall, the phrase is neutral and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally dubious

Replaces "ethically" with "morally" and "questionable" with "dubious", emphasizing a sense of doubt regarding moral principles.

of questionable ethics

Rearranges the phrase to focus on the ethics being questioned.

morally suspect

Substitutes "questionable" with "suspect", highlighting the suspicion of unethical behavior.

ethically problematic

Replaces "questionable" with "problematic", suggesting difficulties related to ethical standards.

of dubious morality

Similar to "morally dubious", but with a slightly more formal tone.

of uncertain ethicality

A more formal way of saying "ethically questionable", emphasizing the uncertainty.

of questionable integrity

Focuses on integrity rather than general ethics, implying a lack of honesty.

morally challenging

Suggests the situation presents a moral challenge or dilemma.

raises ethical concerns

Shifts the focus to the concerns raised by the ethics of the situation.

raises moral questions

Similar to raising ethical concerns, but focusing on moral aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "ethically questionable" in a sentence?

You can use "ethically questionable" to describe actions, policies, or decisions that raise doubts about their ethical soundness. For example: "The company's marketing practices were considered "ethically questionable" because they targeted vulnerable populations".

What are some alternatives to "ethically questionable"?

Alternatives include "morally dubious", "of questionable ethics", or "morally suspect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes something "ethically questionable" as opposed to simply unethical?

"Ethically questionable" suggests that there is some doubt or debate about whether something is ethical, while "unethical" implies a clear violation of ethical principles. "Ethically questionable" indicates a gray area.

Is there a difference between "ethically questionable" and "legally questionable"?

Yes. "Ethically questionable" relates to moral principles, while "legally questionable" relates to laws and regulations. Something can be "ethically questionable" but legal, or vice versa.