immoral impulses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immoral impulses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe urges or desires that are considered unethical or wrong by societal standards. Example: "He struggled to control his immoral impulses, knowing they could lead him down a dark path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Immoral impulses are always there.

The New York Times - Books

Hume later proposes that when we restrain our imprudent or immoral impulses, the contrary impulse comes also from passion, but often from a passion so "calm" that we confuse it with reason.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

FMF2 I was told that I am immoral.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

But if the only letter you want to grab is the one you deposited, would the impulse be immoral?

The New York Times - Magazine

It's an immoral industry that exploits our most base human impulses and is a corrosive acid on the moral fiber of our nation.

Forbes

Meenu's first impulse is to dismiss the plan as irresponsible and somehow immoral.

The New York Times

The impulse to hate those who work evil in the world is not immoral.

Huffington Post

The notion that The Catcher in the Rye is an immoral and irreligious work has largely given way to the antithetical view – that Salinger's chief impulse is specifically religious.

The Guardian - Books

Immoral, no".

The New Yorker

"Totally immoral".

The New York Times

Or immoral.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing internal conflicts or moral dilemmas, use "immoral impulses" to accurately portray the struggle between right and wrong.

Common error

Be careful not to equate having "immoral impulses" with acting on them. The phrase refers to the presence of unethical desires, not necessarily the act of yielding to them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immoral impulses" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "immoral" modifies the noun "impulses". Ludwig indicates that the phrase is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immoral impulses" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, typically used to describe unethical or morally wrong urges. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is acceptable, its relative infrequency suggests it's not a commonly used expression. Consider using alternatives like "unethical urges" or "wrongful desires" for similar meanings. Be mindful of the distinction between having "immoral impulses" and acting upon them, focusing on the internal struggle rather than the action itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unethical urges

Replaces "immoral" with "unethical", maintaining the focus on morally wrong desires.

wrongful desires

Substitutes "immoral" with "wrongful", emphasizing the incorrect or unjust nature of the desires.

base instincts

Focuses on the primal and often selfish nature of the urges, implying a lack of moral consideration.

depraved urges

Emphasizes the corrupt or wicked nature of the desires.

sinful inclinations

Highlights the religious or moral transgression associated with the desires.

reprehensible cravings

Focuses on the blameworthy and unacceptable nature of the desires.

wicked temptations

Emphasizes the allure and morally corrupting aspect of the desires.

corrupting desires

Highlights how the desires can negatively impact morality.

unscrupulous cravings

Focuses on the lack of principles or ethics in the desires.

indecent inclinations

Emphasizes the violation of accepted standards of behavior and morality.

FAQs

How can I use "immoral impulses" in a sentence?

You can use "immoral impulses" to describe desires that are considered unethical or wrong. For example: "He fought against his "immoral impulses" to cheat on the exam."

What's a good alternative to "immoral impulses"?

Alternatives include "unethical urges", "wrongful desires", or "base instincts", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "strong immoral impulses"?

While not strictly redundant, using "strong" might be unnecessary as "immoral impulses" already implies a compelling desire. Consider the context to determine if the emphasis is needed.

Can animals have "immoral impulses"?

The term "immoral impulses" is typically reserved for beings capable of understanding and violating moral codes. While animals may exhibit behaviors that humans deem unethical, it's more accurate to describe their actions as instinctive or driven by survival.