improperly received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improperly received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been accepted or obtained in a manner that is not appropriate or acceptable. Example: "The evidence was deemed improperly received and therefore could not be used in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Moreover, he had improperly received government money intended for American citizens or permanent residents.

The New York Times

His reinstatement procedure will probably involve repaying the money he improperly received from a car dealership.

The New York Times

Mr. Fenty's image has also been tarnished by accusations, which are under investigation by the City Council, that his friends improperly received construction contracts.

The New York Times

People who voluntarily contact the agency by Sept. 30, admit that they have moved out of the area and return improperly received funds can avoid prosecution.

The New York Times

In October the company was the subject of media reports that suggested Cinar had improperly received tax credits for scripts that were written by Americans.

The New York Times

The police had been investigating whether the freshmen improperly received merchandise from a Hartford-area clothing store, and yesterday said that no criminal charges were warranted.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Suspended 14 Marshall athletes for improperly receiving extra work benefits.

The New York Times - Sports

The housing preservation department ended Section 8 benefits for more than 200 people who investigators said were improperly receiving them.

The New York Times

Recently, it has been accused of spending too much on administration, and improperly receiving public money.Despite all this, Ms Sahagún remains popular, especially with women.

The Economist

Moreover, according to the complaint, Nursing Personnel worked with outside coordinators to help prospective aides improperly receive certification from corrupt schools or training programs.

The New York Times

N.C.A.A. SUSPENDS 14 AT MARSHALL: The National Collegiate Athletic Association has suspended 14 Marshall athletes for improperly receiving extra work benefits, the school announced last night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improperly received", ensure the context clearly indicates what was received and why the manner of receiving was inappropriate or unauthorized.

Common error

Avoid using "improperly received" in situations where a simpler, more direct term like "stolen" or "misappropriated" would be more effective and less verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improperly received" functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun by indicating that something was acquired or accepted in an inappropriate or unauthorized manner. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improperly received" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the act of acquiring something in an inappropriate, unethical, or illegal manner. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is a valid and effective way to convey that something has been accepted or obtained in a manner that is not appropriate or acceptable. It's most frequently encountered in news and formal business contexts, where it serves to denote a breach of conduct or regulations. Alternatives include "wrongfully acquired" or "unduly obtained", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what was received and the nature of the impropriety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unduly obtained

Focuses on the inappropriateness of the manner in which something was obtained.

wrongfully acquired

Highlights the injustice or illegality of the acquisition.

inappropriately gained

Emphasizes the lack of suitability or correctness in how something was gained.

illegitimately procured

Stresses the lack of legal or moral justification for obtaining something.

unjustifiably accepted

Focuses on the lack of valid reasons for accepting something.

unethically sourced

Highlights the violation of ethical principles in obtaining something.

irregularly secured

Focuses on the deviation from established rules or procedures in securing something.

unauthorizedly taken

Stresses the absence of permission or approval in taking something.

in breach of protocol received

Highlights that the process broke the implicit or explicit rules.

against regulations accepted

The receiving process was incompliant with the established regulation.

FAQs

What does "improperly received" mean?

The phrase "improperly received" means that something was accepted or obtained in a way that is not correct, ethical, or legal. It suggests a violation of rules, procedures, or standards.

How can I use "improperly received" in a sentence?

You can use "improperly received" to describe funds, goods, information, or benefits that were obtained through inappropriate means. For example: "The investigation revealed that the official had "wrongfully acquired" government funds".

What are some synonyms for "improperly received"?

Some synonyms for "improperly received" include "unduly obtained", "wrongfully acquired", and "illegitimately procured". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "improperly received" or "illegally obtained"?

Both phrases can be appropriate, but "illegally obtained" emphasizes a violation of the law, while "improperly received" suggests a broader range of inappropriate conduct, which doesn't have to be necessarily illegal. If the context involves a legal violation, "illegally obtained" might be more fitting.