illegal acts

USAGE SUMMARY

'illegal acts' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any action that violates the law. For example: "The authorities are cracking down on individuals who commit illegal acts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nixon's downfall was caused by an assortment of illegal acts done by him or those acting on his behalf.

The New York Times

They are illegal acts under British law.

The New York Times

"You don't benefit from illegal acts".

The New York Times

Instead, the bureau should focus on illegal acts, he said.

The New York Times

Where else in this country are illegal acts tolerated?

The New York Times

That doesn't mean that unethical or illegal acts by individuals aren't significant, however.

The Guardian - Money

In 1975, another, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, denounced what he called the court's "illegal acts".

The Economist

Ms. Parsons said some of the comments amounted to illegal acts, but did not identify them.

The New York Times - Arts

Several ran intriguingly "parallel" to the illegal acts he had been charged with.

The Economist

But whistle-blowing applies to revelations of evil or illegal acts.

The New York Times

Mr. Dumas has never denied involvement with Mrs. Deviers-Joncour but does deny illegal acts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "illegal acts", be specific about the type of activity and the relevant laws to provide clarity and context. For example, "committing illegal acts such as fraud and embezzlement".

Common error

Avoid using "illegal acts" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "The investigation revealed illegal acts", specify the nature of the illegal activities, such as "The investigation revealed bribery and obstruction of justice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal acts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies actions that are prohibited by law. Ludwig confirms the usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illegal acts" is a commonly used phrase that refers to actions prohibited by law. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, including news, business, and science. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about the type of activity involved and avoid overgeneralization. Related phrases, such as "unlawful activities" or "criminal offenses", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unlawful activities

Replaces "acts" with "activities", implying a more sustained or organized nature of the illegal behavior.

Criminal offenses

Substitutes "acts" with "offenses", focusing on the violation of criminal law.

Illicit conduct

Replaces both "illegal" and "acts" with more formal and abstract terms.

Wrongful deeds

Uses "wrongful" to describe the unethical or immoral nature of the actions, rather than strictly their legality.

Prohibited actions

Focuses on the forbidden aspect of the actions, highlighting that they are not allowed.

Outlawed practices

Emphasizes that these are established behaviors that have been made illegal.

Corrupt practices

Highlights the aspect of corruption and dishonesty, adding an element of moral condemnation.

Unauthorized procedures

Suggests actions that have not been officially sanctioned or permitted.

Felonious acts

Specifies that the acts are serious crimes, categorized as felonies.

Transgressions of the law

A more formal and emphatic way of saying that laws have been broken.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "illegal acts"?

Synonyms for "illegal acts" include "unlawful activities", "criminal offenses", and "illicit conduct". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

You can use "illegal acts" in a sentence like this: "The company was accused of engaging in several "fraudulent schemes" and other illegal acts."

What is the difference between "illegal acts" and "unethical behavior"?

"Illegal acts" refer specifically to actions that violate the law. "Unethical behavior", on the other hand, refers to actions that may be morally wrong but are not necessarily against the law.

Is it redundant to say "illegal activities" instead of "illegal acts"?

While "illegal acts" and "illegal activities" are very similar, "activities" often implies a more sustained or organized pattern of behavior, while "acts" can refer to individual instances. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.