it is shady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is shady" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is suspicious, dishonest, or morally questionable. Example: "The way he handled the finances seemed a bit off; it is shady."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If ever a book deserved its hardbacked, reverse-embossed, lavishly illustrated, thick white heavy paper incarnation, and a place on an actual bookshelf, it is Shady Characters.

The Guardian - Books

Part of it is sandy and part of it is loamy, part of it is dry and part of it is damp, some of it is shady and some of it gets the sun all day, and I'm pretty sure you can find just about every wild flower that grows on the South Shore somewhere in it.

The New Yorker

I have a thriving colony nestled at the base of a line of arborvitae and a few clumps growing against the back wall of the garage, where it is shady most of the day and a rusted-out gutter guarantees a little extra moisture.

The New York Times - Style

While lots of adware is technically legitimate, lots of it is shady as well.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The wireless carrier did something similar prior to launching its LTE network; it was shady then and it's shady now.

TechCrunch

It's shady.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's shady on the ethical side," Mr. Novak said.

The New York Times

You crank it in when it's shady, put it out in the sun.

The New York Times

It's shady, and the work is mostly sweeping and raking, sometimes even pulling weeds and planting flowers.

The New York Times

By C. Lee Quong The New Yorker, June 3 , 1933P. 23 It was shady on the other side of the street And the View Article By Jia Tolentino By John Cassidy By Alan Burdick By Atul Gawande.

The New Yorker

Retired general Wesley Clark, a strong contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Mr Bush in the 2004 presidential election, said of the alleged leaking: "It's wrong, it's shady, it's cheap".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is shady" to describe situations, practices, or behaviors that raise concerns about honesty, fairness, or ethical standards. This phrase is suitable for expressing suspicion without making a direct accusation.

Common error

While "it is shady" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal writing where more precise or professional terms like "questionable", "dubious", or "unethical" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is shady" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being suspicious, questionable, or dishonest to a particular situation, action, or thing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for describing something not quite right.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is shady" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is suspicious, questionable, or dishonest. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and applicability in diverse writing scenarios. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to express disapproval or concern about potential unethical behavior. While versatile, writers should consider substituting with more formal alternatives like "questionable" or "dubious" in professional settings. The related phrases offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments, emphasizing different aspects of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is suspicious

Emphasizes a feeling of distrust or doubt about something.

it is questionable

Focuses on the validity or appropriateness of something.

it is dubious

Highlights uncertainty or doubt regarding the honesty or reliability.

it is fishy

Informal, suggesting something is not right or seems wrong.

it is unethical

Stresses a violation of moral principles.

it is corrupt

Indicates dishonesty or fraudulent conduct, often involving abuse of power.

it is deceitful

Highlights the act of misleading or misrepresenting the truth.

it is unscrupulous

Suggests a lack of moral principles or conscience.

it is untrustworthy

Focuses on the lack of reliability or honesty.

it is underhanded

Implies secret and dishonest behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "it is shady" in a sentence?

You can use "it is shady" to describe something that seems dishonest, suspicious, or morally questionable. For example, "The way he handled the finances, "it is shady"".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is shady"?

You can use alternatives like "it is suspicious", "it is questionable", or "it is dubious" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is shady" or "that is shady"?

Both "it is shady" and "that is shady" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on the context and what you are referring to. "That is shady" might be used to refer to something specific previously mentioned, whereas "it is shady" can be a more general statement.

What does "it is shady" imply beyond simple dishonesty?

Beyond mere dishonesty, "it is shady" often implies a lack of transparency, potential for exploitation, or a sense that something is being hidden. It suggests something is not entirely above board and warrants closer scrutiny.