illegal practices

USAGE SUMMARY

"illegal practices" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any act or activity that is against the law. For example, "The company was found to be engaging in illegal practices such as tax evasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both are illegal practices.

The Guardian

The dermatologists are not accusing nonphysicans of illegal practices.

The New York Times - Style

Illegal practices are frequently secured and legitimised through repeated misinformation.

The Guardian

Businesses were advised to resist giving in to illegal practices.

The Guardian

Her ascendancy coincided with the alleged proliferation of illegal practices to get stories.

Independent

They instituted the illegal practices challenged and eliminated in the Visa Check antitrust litigation.

The New York Times

"If there have been illegal practices and people have been punished, that's progress".

The Guardian

"We admitted mistakes were made, but there were no illegal practices," he added.

The New York Times

The commission ordered the company to stop the illegal practices, but issued no fine.

The New York Times

Other companies DFA has shares in have been linked to destructive or illegal practices, according to the campaign group.

Independent

These are exactly the kind of loans — built on illegal practices — that gave us the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "illegal practices", be specific about the nature of the illegality and the relevant laws or regulations. This adds clarity and credibility to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "illegal practices" as a vague accusation. Instead, identify the specific actions that constitute the illegality and provide supporting evidence or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal practices" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As noted by Ludwig AI, it correctly refers to acts against the law. Examples from Ludwig show it describing corporate misconduct and electoral fraud.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illegal practices" is a commonly used phrase to describe actions that violate the law. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct, and it appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, specificity and context are crucial to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "unlawful conduct" or "illicit activities" may offer nuance depending on the intended emphasis. Ludwig's examples illustrate that the phrase often points to serious misconduct requiring investigation and potential legal repercussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful conduct

Focuses on the behavior itself being against the law, rather than the systemic nature of "practices".

illicit activities

Emphasizes the secretive or morally questionable nature of the actions.

criminal behavior

Highlights the legal consequences and potential involvement of law enforcement.

corrupt dealings

Implies dishonesty and abuse of power, often within a business or political context.

fraudulent schemes

Specifically refers to deceptive plans designed for financial gain.

unethical actions

Broader than just illegal activities, encompassing morally wrong behavior as well.

irregular operations

Suggests deviations from standard procedures, which may or may not be illegal.

wrongful acts

A more general term for actions that cause harm or violate rights.

prohibited behavior

Focuses on the rules and regulations that are being violated.

banned procedures

Specifically refers to procedures that are forbidden or outlawed.

FAQs

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

"Illegal practices" can be used to describe various actions that violate the law. For example, "The investigation revealed a pattern of "illegal practices" within the company".

What are some alternatives to "illegal practices"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unlawful conduct", "illicit activities", or "criminal behavior".

Is there a difference between "illegal practices" and "unethical practices"?

"Illegal practices" refer specifically to actions that violate the law, while "unethical practices" may be morally wrong but not necessarily against the law. Often, there is an overlap, but it's important to distinguish the legal and moral dimensions.

What kind of legal consequences can arise from "illegal practices"?

The consequences of engaging in "illegal practices" can vary widely depending on the nature of the offense. They may include fines, imprisonment, loss of licenses, and civil lawsuits.