illegal activities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illegal activities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to actions that are against the law or prohibited by legal statutes. Example: "The authorities are cracking down on illegal activities in the area, including drug trafficking and money laundering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Became involved in illegal activities.

The Guardian

Report illegal activities and bad beach operators.

The Guardian

Illegal activities involving smaller amounts of money.

The New Yorker

No sex and absolutely no illegal activities took place".

The New York Times - Sports

"I am not aware of the illegal activities.

The Guardian

"None of us are involved in illegal activities.

The Guardian

I don't know if it engaged in any illegal activities.

The New York Times

Beijing has accused them of involvement in "illegal activities".

The Guardian

Richard Nixon in illegal activities and forced his resignation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Smith also observed that most illegal activities occur in onshore banks.

The New York Times

The company said any claims of illegal activities had been referred to Nauruan police.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, clarify the specific laws or regulations that the "illegal activities" violate to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "illegal activities" without providing context or specifics. This can weaken your argument or create confusion. Always aim to be precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal activities" functions as a noun phrase, where 'illegal' modifies 'activities'. It commonly acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, referring to actions prohibited by law, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illegal activities" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to actions prohibited by law. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse sources, from news media to scientific publications. While synonyms like "criminal conduct" and "illicit operations" offer nuanced alternatives, it's crucial to maintain specificity when discussing "illegal activities" to avoid vagueness. Remember to identify the specific laws being violated for clarity. Ludwig's analysis highlights its neutral to formal register, making it suitable for various communicative purposes and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal conduct

Focuses on the behavioral aspect of illegal actions, implying a pattern of wrongdoing.

illicit operations

Emphasizes the secretive and often organized nature of the unlawful deeds.

unlawful practices

Highlights the procedural or habitual nature of the illegal actions.

criminal enterprises

Suggests an organized structure or business involved in illegal actions for profit.

unauthorized operations

Highlights that activities are performed without official permission.

illicit acts

A more formal term for illegal actions, often used in legal contexts.

unlawful behavior

Broadly covers any conduct that violates the law.

criminal doings

An informal way to refer to illegal actions, suggesting a sense of moral disapproval.

contraband operations

Focuses on actions involving goods that are illegally traded or transported.

prohibited actions

Emphasizes that the actions are explicitly forbidden, often by a set of rules or regulations.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "illegal activities"?

Some synonyms for "illegal activities" include "criminal conduct", "illicit operations", and "unlawful practices".

How can I use "illegal activities" in a sentence?

You can use "illegal activities" in a sentence like: "The police are investigating several reports of illegal activities in the neighborhood." or "Funding illegal activities violates IRS guidelines."

What is the difference between "illegal activities" and "criminal activities"?

While "illegal activities" and "criminal activities" are often used interchangeably, "illegal activities" can encompass a broader range of actions that violate the law, while "criminal activities" typically refer to more serious offenses.

What kind of actions are considered "illegal activities"?

"Illegal activities" can include a wide range of actions, such as drug trafficking, fraud, theft, and any other conduct that violates local, state, or federal laws.