foul acts

USAGE SUMMARY

'foul acts' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any actions or behaviors that are considered immoral, cruel, or unjust. For example, "The bullies' foul acts were finally brought to the attention of school administrators."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes no doubt these foul acts represent a frenzied protest against a statecraft which subjects whole nations to the tyrannical rule of soldiers and police.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

President Mohamed Waheed called it a "remorseless and foul act" and the president's media secretary sent out a text describing the murdered MP as the "strongest critic" of ex-President Mohamed Nasheed.

BBC

On the one hand, revenge perpetuates itself: one foul act deserves another.

Huffington Post

It is strongly suspected (based on previous work) that personal foul rate acts as a constraint on how many minutes they can play.

Huffington Post

The NHS, for example, in whose hospitals Savile is alleged to have committed the foulest of acts?

Independent

When Newcastle gunman Raoul Moat went crazy, I'm sure I remember interviewers, callers on phone-in shows and website forums insisting it was up to so-called moderate Geordies to denounce these atrocities, and X Factor started that week with Louis Walsh saying he wouldn't take part unless Cheryl Cole condemned this "foul evil act of pure foul evil, carried out by her own people".

Independent

Because too much focus on one individual, however misogynistic and foul their act is, is ignoring the dark expanse of iceberg beneath the water's surface.

Vice

He said Mr. Figeroux was "totally uncivilized," used foul language and acted "as though he was insane".

The New York Times

"In the brief time at my disposal --(Two hours and ten minutes) "This foul and reprehensible act, transcending all bonds of decency and affronting honest men". lousy deal) View Article By Jia Tolentino By��Alan Burdick By John Cassidy By Atul Gawande.

The New Yorker

And yet if successful politicians are now forced to become foul-mouthed circus acts, then how, again, did the most successful politician in twenty-first-century America somehow miss the memo?

The New Yorker

"In the brief time at my disposal --(Two hours and ten minutes) "This foul and reprehensible act, transcending all bonds of decency and affronting honest men". lousy deal) View Article Trump's Lawyers Argue That He Cannot Be Impeached Because He Was Never Actually Elected What Happens When a Bad-Tempered, Distractible Doofus Runs an Empire?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foul acts", ensure the context clearly indicates the immoral or unethical nature of the actions being described. Consider using stronger synonyms like "atrocities" or "heinous crimes" if the situation warrants greater emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "foul acts" in casual or informal settings where less severe language would be more appropriate. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul acts" functions as a noun phrase, where "foul" modifies "acts". It describes actions that are considered deeply offensive, immoral, or wrong. Ludwig confirms its usage in describing reprehensible behaviors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foul acts" is a noun phrase used to describe actions that are deeply offensive or immoral. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to condemn unethical behavior, often in neutral to formal contexts such as news reports or official statements. While the phrase is grammatically correct, it is considered rare. Related phrases include "heinous deeds" and "nefarious activities", which offer similar but nuanced ways to express moral disapproval. To use the phrase effectively, ensure that the context appropriately reflects the severity of the actions being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous deeds

Emphasizes the reprehensible nature of the actions.

atrocious crimes

Highlights the severity and brutality of the offenses.

despicable actions

Focuses on the contemptible nature of the acts.

wicked deeds

Implies moral corruption and evil intent.

nefarious activities

Suggests covert and illicit operations.

immoral behaviors

Highlights the lack of ethical principles.

corrupt practices

Focuses on dishonesty and abuse of power.

illegal operations

Emphasizes the violation of laws.

criminal offenses

Directly refers to acts punishable by law.

unethical conduct

Highlights the violation of moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "foul acts" in a sentence?

"Foul acts" are typically used to describe actions that are morally wrong or illegal. For example, "The investigation revealed a series of "foul acts" committed by the corporation."

What's a more formal way to say "foul acts"?

More formal alternatives include "heinous deeds", "nefarious activities", or "corrupt practices", depending on the specific context.

What are some synonyms for "foul acts" that emphasize the illegality?

If you want to emphasize the illegal nature of the acts, you could use phrases like "illegal operations" or "criminal offenses".

How does "foul acts" compare to "unfair acts"?

"Foul acts" generally implies a greater degree of immorality or illegality than "unfair acts". "Unfair acts" might refer to actions that are unjust but not necessarily criminal, while "foul acts" suggests more serious misconduct.