it seems unethical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems unethical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a belief or perception that a particular action or situation lacks moral principles. Example: "After reviewing the company's practices, it seems unethical to prioritize profit over employee welfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Serious questions have been raised about the temperament and suitability of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". He added, "It seems unethical to not contribute at this perilous time".

The New Yorker

From another, it seems unethical not to probe.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

From one perspective, it seems unethical to request and record information from participants about sensitive life events without any intent of clinical follow-up or planned utilization of the data.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

The given name suits them quite well, and it seems unethical to create the illusion that I'm the first to develop it.

Huffington Post

It seems unethical and potentially illegal not to counsel the average parous pregnant woman about the CS/TO combination, to give biased information, or to refuse to arrange for a CS/TO if asked to do so [3].

Plosone

It seems unethical to consider running a phase III study without having sufficient data or information about the feasibility.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Renee Zellweger looks so different recently that it seemed unethical to even write about the photos.

Huffington Post

However, it seemed unethical to portray low-score outliers as normal given the population distribution in which the vast majority of individuals fall within a relatively narrow middle range.

Diabetes Care

These sheep had been lame for such a long time and given local treatments so it seemed unethical to not give these sheep the parenteral antibacterials that are the best known treatment for footrot [ 10].

BMC Veterinary Research

It therefore seems unethical and medically incorrect to meet parturients' requests for pain relief by giving them sedation.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Bringing a child into the world without its consent seems unethical.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems unethical", be prepared to articulate the specific ethical principles that are being potentially violated. Provide context and reasoning to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems unethical" as a vague statement of disapproval. Always provide specific reasons and supporting evidence to explain why the action or situation raises ethical concerns. Otherwise, your assessment may lack credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems unethical" functions as an evaluative expression. It indicates a subjective assessment or judgment about the morality or ethicality of a situation, action, or behavior. Ludwig examples show its use in expressing reservations or concerns about actions that potentially violate ethical principles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems unethical" is a useful expression for conveying a sense that something may violate ethical principles. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and demonstrates its usage across diverse fields like Science, News & Media, and Wiki. While it's more frequent to express ethical concerns, always support with reasoning for credibility. Alternatives, such as "it appears immoral" or "it raises ethical concerns", can refine your intended meaning. "It seems unethical" conveys an evaluative judgment with a neutral-to-professional register, which should be backed by clear examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears immoral

This alternative replaces "unethical" with "immoral", focusing on the violation of moral principles rather than professional conduct.

it seems morally dubious

This alternative employs the term "morally dubious", suggesting that the action or situation is questionable from an ethical standpoint.

it raises ethical concerns

This alternative directly addresses the ethical considerations, suggesting that the situation warrants further scrutiny.

it feels wrong

This phrase is more informal, suggesting a personal sense of unease or discomfort regarding the ethical implications.

it gives the impression of being unethical

This alternative adds a layer of perception, indicating that even if not definitively unethical, it creates that impression.

it presents a moral dilemma

This phrase indicates a conflict between different moral imperatives, highlighting the difficulty in making an ethically sound decision.

it smacks of impropriety

This phrase suggests something is inappropriate or dishonest, often in a professional or official context.

it strikes me as unjust

This alternative highlights the aspect of fairness and justice, emphasizing a potential imbalance or inequity.

it looks unscrupulous

This implies a lack of honesty or moral principles, often in a business or professional context.

it doesn't sit right with me

This phrase is an idiomatic expression indicating a feeling of discomfort or disapproval, implying an intuitive sense of wrongness.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems unethical" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems unethical" to express that an action or situation appears to violate moral principles. For instance, "It seems unethical to prioritize profit over the well-being of employees".

What are some alternatives to saying "it seems unethical"?

Alternatives include "it appears immoral", "it feels wrong", or "it raises ethical concerns", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it seems unethical"?

Use "it seems unethical" when you have observed something that leads you to believe a moral or professional code might be compromised, and you want to express that concern.

Is "it seems unethical" a formal or informal way to express ethical concerns?

"It seems unethical" occupies a middle ground. While not overly formal, it's suitable for professional and academic contexts where expressing a reasoned judgment is appropriate. More informal contexts might benefit from expressions like "it doesn't sit right with me".