looting money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looting money" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe the act of stealing money, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The protesters were accused of looting money from the local businesses during the unrest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After looting money and valuables from the house they took Zvonimir outside.

The Economist

We thought they were dacoits [bandits] and would leave after looting money and valuables," he said.

The Guardian

"We thought they would leave after looting money and valuables," he said.

The Guardian

The group claimed that military forces were responsible for "demolishing and burning mosques, houses, and cars, and looting money and properties" in the operation, according to a translation by SITE Intelligence Group.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I will never let anyone loot money that belongs to India's poor".

The Guardian

Switzerland has previously returned to Nigeria more than $700m that Abacha hid in Swiss accounts – the first time European banks had returned looted money to an African country.

The Guardian

In 2006, the Swiss authorities returned $500m to Nigeria – the first time European banks had returned looted money to an African country.

The Guardian

Mr. Frankel, who faces charges that he looted money from insurance companies he controlled, was arrested in Hamburg in September 1999 after leading the F.B.I. on a chase across Europe.

The New York Times

Ironically, the hackers themselves didn't even manage to profit from it; their attempts to withdraw the looted money hit up against Mt Gox's withdrawal limit of $1000 a day.

The Guardian - Tech

From "The Tracks of Chief de Soto," an account of the 16th-century Spanish explorer's exploitation of an American Indian village, to the title story, in which, after witnessing a plane crash, a highway construction worker loots money from the victims' bodies, Morgan's writing is remarkably consistent, focused on the fine line between desire and need.

The New York Times - Books

Once the target is dead, the player is able to loot money and items from the enemy's body.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of illegally taking money, use more precise terms like "stealing money" or "embezzling funds" for clarity and accuracy. While "looting" can imply theft, it often includes a context of violence or chaos, which may not always be relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "looting" when describing white-collar crimes or financial fraud, as it typically evokes images of physical theft during riots or disasters. Instead, use terms such as "embezzlement", "fraud", or "misappropriation" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looting money" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "looting" acts as a gerund modifying the noun "money". However, according to Ludwig AI, this usage is not considered correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "looting money" appears in various news and media contexts, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most grammatically sound option. It is more accurate and precise to use alternative phrases like "stealing money", "embezzling funds", or "misappropriating funds", depending on the specific context. The term "looting" often implies a context of chaos or violence, which may not always be relevant in financial discussions. Therefore, choosing more specific terms enhances clarity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stealing money

Focuses specifically on the act of theft, removing the implication of violence or chaos associated with looting.

embezzling funds

Implies a breach of trust, where someone misappropriates money they were entrusted with.

pilfering funds

Suggests petty theft or the taking of small amounts of money over time.

misappropriating funds

Focuses on the misuse of money for purposes other than intended.

plundering assets

Implies a more systematic and widespread theft of resources, not limited to just money.

defrauding investors

Suggests obtaining money through deception and fraudulent schemes.

skimming profits

Indicates taking a small percentage of profits illicitly, often before they are officially recorded.

siphoning funds

Suggests secretly diverting money from one place to another, often for illicit purposes.

raiding the treasury

Implies a large-scale theft of public funds.

extorting money

Focuses on obtaining money through coercion or threats.

FAQs

What's a more accurate way to describe the act of stealing money without implying violence?

Alternatives like "stealing money", "embezzling funds", or "misappropriating funds" offer greater precision in financial contexts.

In what situations is the term "looting" most appropriately used?

"Looting" is best used when describing theft during chaotic events like riots, natural disasters, or war, where there is often a breakdown of law and order.

Is "looting money" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

While understandable, "looting money" is not considered the most precise phrasing. Using verbs like "stealing", "embezzling", or "misappropriating" paired with "funds" or "assets" provides clearer and more formal expression.

What are some synonyms for "looting money" that emphasize the misuse of funds?

Synonyms that emphasize misuse include "misappropriating funds", "siphoning funds", or "skimming profits", each implying a different method of illicitly diverting money.