it would be wrongful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be wrongful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing moral or ethical implications of an action, indicating that the action in question is considered wrong. Example: "If we were to ignore the suffering of others, it would be wrongful and unjust."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It would be wrongful racial discrimination to choose my friends according to their race or skin color.

SEP

This violates a plausible principle that holds that it is wrongful to intend to do what it would be wrongful to do (the "wrongful intentions principle").

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The strongest version of this argument states that it would be wrong now to produce a child using SCNT because it would constitute a case of wrongful procreation.

SEP

He explained that to do so would be wrongful and that it would not be understood by the Slovenes and Croats.

Wikipedia

About 20 years ago, I came to the conclusion that the hottest field for people who offer structured settlements would be wrongful termination claims.

Huffington Post

Mitchell Berman has argued that when a coercer threatens to do something, the rightness or wrongness of the use of such a threat to coerce depends on whether it would be rightful or wrongful for that agent to carry through with that threat (Berman 2002).

SEP

And sometimes it may be wrongful to threaten what it would be right to carry out (blackmail and extortion are sometimes thought to include such cases).

SEP

If ever the fear of criminal stigma and the threat of imprisonment were deterrents to wrongful conduct, it would be in the case of white-collar crime, which is injurious behavior committed by people of high social status in the rational pursuit of maximizing profit.

The New York Times

In May Mr Zhou's top deputy complained of political interference forcing wrongful convictions and argued that it would be preferable to let a guilty man go free than to imprison someone who was innocent.

The Economist

But since it would be highly implausible to suppose that civilians have no right of self-defense against an intentional and wrongful attack by combatants, I will assume that the Theory permits this form of defense.

The New York Times

There seem to be three categories in which answers to this question might fall: coercion is intrinsically wrongful; it is prima facie or pro tanto wrongful, though it may be justified by further facts; and it is intrinsically morally neutral, though some uses of it may be wrongful because of specific facts about them.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would be wrongful", clearly state the reason why the action is considered wrong to avoid ambiguity. For example, "To discriminate based on race, it would be wrongful because it violates fundamental principles of equality".

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "it would be wrongful" in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it would be wrong" or "that's not right" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be wrongful" functions as a conditional statement expressing a moral or ethical judgment about a hypothetical action. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English when discussing moral or ethical implications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be wrongful" is a grammatically correct way to express that an action is morally or ethically wrong. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While "common", it is generally more formal than "it would be wrong" and should be used judiciously in informal contexts. The phrase is frequently found in science, news and media and business-related articles. Alternatives include "it would be unethical", "it would be immoral" and "it would be unjust". When using the phrase, ensure that the reason for the wrongfulness is clearly stated. Keep in mind the register and be mindful in everyday conversations, consider alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be wrong

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

it would be unethical

Replaces "wrongful" with "unethical", focusing on moral principles.

it would be immoral

Substitutes "wrongful" with "immoral", highlighting a violation of moral standards.

it would be unjust

Replaces "wrongful" with "unjust", emphasizing fairness and equity.

it would be inappropriate

Substitutes "wrongful" with "inappropriate", focusing on the suitability of the action.

it would be improper

Replaces "wrongful" with "improper", highlighting a breach of rules or norms.

that would be unacceptable

Focuses on the lack of acceptance or approval for the action.

that would be a violation

Emphasizes the breaking of a rule or law.

that would be a mistake

Focuses on the negative consequences of the action.

that would be ill-advised

Highlights the lack of wisdom in taking the action.

FAQs

What does "it would be wrongful" mean?

The phrase "it would be wrongful" indicates that a particular action or behavior is considered morally or ethically wrong. It implies a violation of standards, principles, or rules.

What can I say instead of "it would be wrongful"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be unethical", "it would be immoral", or "it would be unjust" depending on the specific context. Simpler alternatives include "it would be wrong".

How to use "it would be wrongful" in a sentence?

When using "it would be wrongful", ensure that the subject and the reason for the wrongfulness are clearly defined. For example, "It would be wrongful to ignore the needs of the vulnerable in our society."

Is "it would be wrongful" formal or informal?

"It would be wrongful" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more informal contexts, alternatives like "it would be wrong" or "that's not right" may be more appropriate.