improper profit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improper profit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing unethical or illegal gains, particularly in business or financial discussions. Example: "The company's accounting practices led to an improper profit that raised concerns among regulators."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Lindsay-Woolsey bill (or "little Mann Act") would make it a federal offense to transport an athlete across a state line for improper profit.

The New Yorker

He also faced questions about whether Harken -- of which he was a director and a member of the audit committee -- had deliberately booked an improper profit on the sale of a subsidiary in 1989 to obscure the size of its operating losses.

The New York Times

FleetBoston Financial agreed to pay $14 million to the NASD and $19 million to the SEC to settle charges of improper profit sharing related to initial public offerings during 1999 and 2000 at its since shuttered investment bank Roberston Stephens.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But according to NASD's complaint, the improper profit-sharing involved some New York Stock Exchange-listed stocks, as well.

The New York Times

The scheme generated $35 million in improper profits, the C.F.T.C. said.

The New York Times

Improper profits in those cases totaled $35.7 million, the S.E.C. said.

The New York Times

Improper profits in those eight cases totaled $22.7 million, the S.E.C. said.

The New York Times

Although smaller in scale, the allegations are similar in nature to those the commission filed in 2004 against five large specialist firms on the New York Stock Exchange, accusing them of collecting more than $150 million in improper profits.

The New York Times

In the individual complaints made public on Wednesday, the S.E.C. said that the improper profits collected by the 14 specialist firms had ranged from a few million dollars at some of the smaller organizations to more than $28 million at E*Trade.

The New York Times

The reported $700,000 in improper trading profits several of its traders made amounts to a 20th of a basis point, or 48 cents per $100,000.

Forbes

The guideline sentence was so stiff because the government said that Mr. Chiasson caused Level Global to earn about $40 million in profits as a result of the improper trades, and the profit amount primarily drives the guideline sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improper profit" in formal writing, particularly in business, legal, or financial contexts, where precision and clarity are paramount.

Common error

Do not use "improper profit" as a general term for low profit or failed business ventures. It specifically refers to profits gained through unethical or illegal activities, not merely unsuccessful ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improper profit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "improper" modifies the noun "profit". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It typically identifies a specific type of profit derived through unethical or illegal means.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improper profit" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe financial gains obtained through unethical or illegal means. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal contexts, particularly in business, legal, and financial discussions. While not extremely frequent, its usage is well-defined, and it is often found in news reports and business publications. Alternatives include phrases like ""unlawful gain"" or ""illicit profit"", depending on the specific context. Remember to use it accurately to denote profits derived through means that violate regulations or ethical standards, not just general business losses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful gain

Focuses specifically on the illegality of the profit.

illicit profit

Emphasizes the forbidden or disapproved nature of the profit.

unjust enrichment

Highlights the unfair or inequitable nature of the profit.

wrongful gain

Suggests that the profit was obtained through a wrong or unfair act.

undue profit

Emphasizes that the profit is excessive or inappropriate.

illegitimate earnings

Replaces "profit" with a broader term, suggesting a lack of legal justification.

unwarranted profit

Suggests the profit lacks sufficient justification or reason.

unethical gains

Highlights the moral dimension of the profit acquisition.

questionable earnings

Raises doubts about the legitimacy or appropriateness of the earnings.

dubious income

Conveys uncertainty and suspicion regarding the source or nature of the income.

FAQs

How can I use "improper profit" in a sentence?

You can use "improper profit" to describe financial gains achieved through unethical or illegal means. For example: "The investigation revealed that the company had generated significant "improper profit" through fraudulent accounting practices."

What is a similar phrase to "improper profit"?

Alternatives to "improper profit" include "unlawful gain", "illicit profit", or "unjust enrichment". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "improper profit" and "unethical profit"?

"Improper profit" typically suggests a violation of rules, regulations, or laws, whereas "unethical profit" focuses on a violation of moral principles or standards of conduct. While there can be overlap, "improper" often carries a stronger implication of formal wrongdoing.

Is it appropriate to use "improper profit" in a formal context?

Yes, "improper profit" is appropriate for formal contexts, especially in business, legal, or financial discussions where the precise nature of financial irregularities needs to be clearly communicated.