illegal goods

USAGE SUMMARY

"illegal goods" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
For example: "Law enforcement officers seized a large shipment of illegal goods from the criminal organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices of illegal goods tend to be artificially inflated.

The New Yorker

Mexican smugglers have for generations ferried illegal goods across it.

The Economist

"We say settlements are illegal, so how can we trade in illegal goods?" asks one.

The Economist

The prison-labor law is typically used to block illegal goods from entering the country.

The New York Times

Amsterdam is a hub for the buying and selling of illegal goods," Varese said.

The Guardian - Arts

Even those not using Bitcoin to buy illegal goods may be using it to skip tax payments.

The Economist

"It's to obtain the profits of buying illegal goods cheaply and selling them as if they were genuine.

Independent

A 'dark web' website selling illegal goods has been shut down, leading to the arrest of five people.

Independent

At the same time, transport and trade links have improved considerably, smoothing the flow of both legal and illegal goods.

The New York Times

It has no security features to prevent its being easily and anonymously spent on legal or illegal goods.

The Economist

The company found and canceled others on Thursday because they violated company policies prohibiting sales of illegal goods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the seizure of "illegal goods", specify the type of goods and the relevant laws or regulations that were violated to provide context.

Common error

Be careful not to label goods as "illegal" simply because they are ethically questionable. Illegality is determined by specific laws, not subjective moral judgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal goods" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "illegal" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "goods". Ludwig confirms its validity and frequent use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "illegal goods" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for items prohibited by law. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to items that violate specific laws rather than just being ethically questionable. Alternatives include "contraband" and "illicit merchandise", depending on the context. Remember to be precise and cite relevant regulations when discussing "illegal goods".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contraband

Refers specifically to goods that are prohibited by law from being imported or exported.

illicit merchandise

Emphasizes the commercial aspect of the illegal items, referring to them as goods intended for sale.

unlawful commodities

Focuses on the illegality of the items as tradable goods, highlighting their status under the law.

prohibited items

Highlights the act of banning or forbidding the goods, emphasizing the restriction in place.

smuggled products

Specifically refers to goods that have been brought into or out of a country illegally and secretly.

black market wares

Implies that the goods are traded in an unofficial, often underground, market.

bootleg items

Often refers to counterfeit or pirated goods, especially media or alcohol.

unauthorized articles

Highlights the lack of official permission or sanction for the goods.

pirated goods

Specifically denotes items that are illegally copied or reproduced, often referring to media or software.

counterfeit products

Refers to imitations of genuine products, often of inferior quality, that are made or sold illegally.

FAQs

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

You can use "illegal goods" to describe items that are against the law to produce, sell, or possess. For example, "The police seized a large quantity of "illegal drugs" and weapons during the raid."

What are some synonyms for "illegal goods"?

Alternatives for "illegal goods" include "contraband", "illicit merchandise", or "unlawful commodities". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "illegal goods" and "stolen goods"?

"Illegal goods" are unlawful to possess or trade due to their nature (e.g., drugs), while "stolen goods" were legally produced but were acquired unlawfully through theft.

Where can I find examples of "illegal goods" being used in news articles?

News sources like "The New York Times", "The Economist", and "The Guardian" often report on seizures of "illegal goods" and the enforcement of laws against them.