illegal conduct

USAGE SUMMARY

"illegal conduct" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to activities or behaviours that are violations of criminal law. For example: "The prosecutor alleged that the defendant had engaged in illegal conduct prior to the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is shocking and illegal conduct".

Independent

1. Law doesn't protect illegal conduct.

University of California, Berkeley

What federal law protects illegal conduct?

University of California, Berkeley

A court enjoined his illegal conduct.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, we completely reject his accusations of illegal conduct".

The Guardian

It is still unclear whether there was any illegal conduct.

The New York Times

Would top management know of any past illegal conduct?

Harvard Business Review

The profits of their illegal conduct should be re-distributed to their victims.

Independent

"We are simply saying that they are engaged in illegal conduct".

The New York Times

Harshbarger's report to Acorn found no "pattern of illegal conduct" by its employees.

The New York Times

"H.P. denies engaging in any illegal conduct in connection with these matters.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "illegal conduct", be specific about the type of law or regulation that has been violated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it relates to financial regulations, environmental laws, or criminal statutes.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the implications of "illegal conduct" without concrete evidence. Clearly differentiate between allegations, investigations, and convictions to maintain accuracy and avoid defamation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal conduct" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to actions or behaviors that are prohibited by law, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illegal conduct" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe actions that violate the law. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, specificity is key—clarifying the specific laws or regulations that have been breached helps to avoid ambiguity. While similar phrases like "unlawful behavior" or "criminal activity" can be used, "illegal conduct" provides a straightforward and widely understood way to address unlawful actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful behavior

Focuses on the behavioral aspect, emphasizing the transgression of laws.

criminal activity

Highlights the criminal nature of the actions, implying involvement with the criminal justice system.

illicit actions

Emphasizes the secretive or disapproved nature of the actions.

wrongdoing

A broader term encompassing any action considered morally or legally wrong.

malfeasance

Refers to misconduct, especially by a public official.

illegal operations

Focuses on organized illegal activities or businesses.

unauthorized activities

Highlights actions taken without proper permission or legal basis.

fraudulent schemes

Specifically refers to deceptive or dishonest plans designed for illegal gain.

corrupt practices

Implies abuse of power or trust for personal gain, often within an organization or government.

prohibited actions

Emphasizes that the actions are expressly forbidden by rules or laws.

FAQs

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

You can use "illegal conduct" to describe actions that violate the law. For example, "The investigation revealed a pattern of illegal conduct within the company."

What are some alternatives to "illegal conduct"?

Alternatives include "unlawful behavior", "criminal activity", or "illicit actions", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "illegal conduct" and "unethical behavior"?

"Illegal conduct" refers specifically to actions that violate the law, while "unethical behavior" may not be illegal but violates moral or professional standards.

What legal actions can result from "illegal conduct"?

Depending on the severity and nature of the "illegal conduct", legal actions can range from fines and penalties to imprisonment and lawsuits.