lead to crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead to crime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that results in criminal behavior or activities. Example: "The lack of community resources can often lead to crime among youth in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Critics say they are highly addictive and lead to crime and poverty.

The Guardian

The research examined the psychological roots of anti-social attitudes and behavior, which can lead to crime, unemployment and lack of opportunity.

Stanford University

Three paintings by an ex-addict that hang in a craft room illustrate the particular Saudi approach to the problem: Drugs lead to crime leads to death.

The New York Times

Despite the protests of concerned NGOs that corporate secrecy could lead to crime and tax evasion, he rejected transparency, although he conceded it was "attractive in principle".

The Guardian

Some owners also put rule-breakers out on the curb, with no alternative housing, which can lead to crime and an outcry from neighborhood homeowners.

The New York Times

Antisocial behavior can lead to crime, which can occur both when a person is high on a substance or fighting withdrawal and needs money to obtain the substance to which he or she is addicted.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Of course, problems often lead to crimes.

The New York Times - Books

And undue focus on one target can lead to crimes that are not measured being neglected altogether," she said.

The Guardian

The United States endorsed the principle that people are obligated to disobey laws that lead to crimes against humanity.

Los Angeles Times

"Unemployment leads to crime," said Abdul Qadir, a money trader.

The New York Times

It should be teaming with them to confront the neighborhood disorganization that leads to crime, like irresponsible liquor stores, abandoned buildings and drug dealing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lead to crime", ensure the context clearly establishes the causal relationship. Avoid oversimplification, as crime often has multiple contributing factors. For instance, instead of saying "Poverty leads to crime", a more nuanced approach would be "Poverty, combined with lack of educational opportunities, can increase the likelihood of individuals engaging in criminal activities."

Common error

Avoid presenting "lead to crime" as the sole explanation for complex criminal behavior. Recognize that social, economic, and psychological factors often interplay. Instead of stating "Drug use leads to crime", consider specifying: "Drug addiction, when coupled with unemployment and social isolation, may increase the probability of committing crimes to support the habit."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to crime" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that a particular action, event, or condition results in criminal activity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lead to crime" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a causal relationship between certain factors and criminal behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and utilized across diverse contexts, including news, academic research, and formal documentation. It's crucial to employ this phrase with careful consideration of the potential oversimplification of complex issues. Alternatives like "result in criminal behavior" or "contribute to illegal acts" may offer more nuanced perspectives. The frequency of use is 'Very common'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in criminal behavior

Focuses specifically on the behavioral outcome as a consequence.

cause criminal activity

Highlights the action of causing the criminal act.

contribute to illegal acts

Suggests a partial influence rather than a direct causation.

foster criminal tendencies

Emphasizes the development or encouragement of criminal behaviors.

trigger unlawful conduct

Implies a specific event that initiates illegal behavior.

generate criminality

Focuses on the creation or production of criminal behavior.

spark off a wave of crime

Implies a sudden and widespread increase in criminal activity.

beget criminal acts

A more formal way of saying cause or produce criminal actions.

induce illegal behavior

Suggests persuasion or influence leading to crime.

promote lawlessness

Indicates the fostering of a general disregard for the law.

FAQs

How can I use "lead to crime" in a sentence?

You can use "lead to crime" to describe factors or situations that increase the likelihood of criminal behavior. For example, "The lack of job opportunities can "lead to crime" in impoverished areas."

What's a formal alternative to "lead to crime"?

In formal contexts, you might use "result in criminal activity", "contribute to illegal acts", or "precipitate unlawful behavior" as alternatives to ""lead to crime"".

Which is more accurate, "lead to crime" or "is associated with crime"?

"Lead to crime" implies a direct causal relationship, while "is associated with crime" suggests a correlation but not necessarily causation. Use ""lead to crime"" when you want to emphasize that one factor directly causes or increases the risk of criminal behavior.

What are some factors that commonly "lead to crime"?

Factors that commonly "lead to crime" often include poverty, lack of education, drug addiction, social inequality, and lack of opportunities.