moving suspiciously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moving suspiciously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is behaving in a way that raises doubts or concerns about their intentions or actions. Example: "The man was moving suspiciously around the parked cars, making the neighbors uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An Israeli Army spokesman said troops spotted three Palestinians who were "moving suspiciously" and fled when asked to stop.

The New York Times

The army said soldiers opened fire on two men who were spotted moving suspiciously in an area from which shots have been fired by Palestinian gunmen, although the men were later found to be unarmed.

The New York Times

[An Israeli Army spokesman told the Associated Press that soldiers had been warned that four Palestinians would try to carry out an attack in the area around the Palestinian village of Bani Naim, and saw four men moving suspiciously.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Worse, in a dealer system there is a risk of collusion among market-makers to keep spreads wide.The SEC has successfully pursued cases against Nasdaq dealers for collusion, partly on the basis of questionable academic evidence that purported to show that prices moved suspiciously more often in eighths than sixteenths.

The Economist

Think about walking around your own neighborhood and having policemen watching your every move suspiciously, waiting for a reason to pull you aside for a "chat".

TechCrunch

Get a man who looks at you the way the new korean president's bodyguard looks at a man moving sort of suspiciously just out of frame https://t.co/LwpdilhrRb.

Huffington Post

The Canadian-born actor Oliver Platt has a way of moving through space — tentatively, suspiciously, delicately — that recalls Laughton's haunted presence.

The New Yorker

The police say those stopped were behaving suspiciously — by moving furtively or carrying a pry bar, for instance — but they were not necessarily suspects sought in any particular crime.

The New York Times

Management was still chaotic and freeloaders legion; but the firm was so profitable, neck-high in gold and platinum discs, that no one seemed to care.Most of all Mr Aspinall protected the songs, moving snail-like and suspiciously towards the modern age.

The Economist

Now, doubtless, he is welcomed as an antidote to "cool Britannia", a pose fostered by British government publicists that irritates its European partners as the old enemies and allies move inexorably and suspiciously closer together.The hero of HartlepoolAmerica has no such fun with its neighbours.

The Economist

It can spit out venom (in reality, a fine water mist) and breathe out clouds of fog, all while regarding the crowd suspiciously with its moving eyes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's actions in fiction or a news report, use "moving suspiciously" to create a sense of unease and hint at potential wrongdoing. Be specific about how they are moving to enhance the effect.

Common error

Avoid using "moving suspiciously" too frequently in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language that clearly articulates the specific actions and their implications, rather than relying on a general impression of suspicion. For example, instead of stating "the suspect was moving suspiciously," describe the actions in detail and give a potential underlying reason for the suspect's behavior, such as "the suspect glanced furtively at the door while walking quickly away from the crime scene"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving suspiciously" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes how an action is performed, adding a layer of doubt or suspicion to the movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moving suspiciously" is a grammatically sound and readily understood adverbial phrase used to describe actions that evoke doubt or suspicion. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English. While less common than similar phrases like "acting suspiciously", it is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to be as descriptive as possible in order to communicate a better sense of unease. For example, mentioning that "the man was "moving suspiciously" around the parked cars, making the neighbors uneasy" paints a better picture than only using "moving suspiciously" alone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting suspiciously

Focuses on the overall behavior being suspect, not just the movement.

behaving suspiciously

Similar to "acting suspiciously", but emphasizes the manner of conduct.

moving furtively

Highlights the secretive and stealthy nature of the movement.

creeping around suspiciously

Adds a sense of stealth and potential malicious intent.

prowling suspiciously

Suggests a predatory or searching movement with suspect intent.

maneuvering suspiciously

Implies deliberate and possibly deceptive movement.

proceeding suspiciously

Focuses on the continuation of movement in a manner that raises suspicion.

advancing suspiciously

Highlights the forward motion as being suspect.

progressing suspiciously

Similar to "proceeding suspiciously", but emphasizes the gradual nature of the movement.

shifting suspiciously

Implies a subtle change in position that raises suspicion.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who is "moving suspiciously" in more detail?

Instead of just saying someone is "moving suspiciously", try to specify the way they are moving, such as "moving furtively", "creeping around", or "prowling suspiciously" to create a stronger image.

Is it better to say "acting suspiciously" or "moving suspiciously"?

"Acting suspiciously" and "moving suspiciously" are similar, but "acting suspiciously" refers to a broader range of behaviors, while "moving suspiciously" specifically focuses on the manner of movement. Choose the phrase that best describes the situation.

What does it mean when someone is described as "moving suspiciously"?

When someone is described as "moving suspiciously", it implies that their movements are causing doubt or concern about their intentions, suggesting they may be hiding something or planning to do something wrong.

Can "moving suspiciously" be used in a legal context?

Yes, the phrase "moving suspiciously" could be used in legal contexts, particularly in police reports or witness testimonies, to describe behavior that raised suspicion and led to further investigation. However, it's important to provide specific details about the movement to support the claim.