nefarious schemes

USAGE SUMMARY

"nefarious schemes" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe wicked or villainous plans or plots. Example: The villain was known for his nefarious schemes to take over the city. Alternative expressions include "wicked plots" and "sinister plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

They circulate throughout blood and lymph, and bind to microbial invaders, gumming up the pathogens' nefarious schemes and marking them for destruction by other immune cells.

Stanford University

Nefarious schemes to pass on control to sons, avoid taxes and exploit company assets for the benefit of family members are widely discussed in private.

The Economist

Still, as Jaguar seems to be claiming, at least you can drive a shiny moll-magnet while working your nefarious schemes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The essay today in the Liberation Army Daily charged that Western questioning of the crackdown on Falun Gong is based on lies and nefarious schemes.

The New York Times

For example, Investor's Business Daily recently declared that the prominence of James Hansen, the NASA researcher who first made climate change a national issue two decades ago, is actually due to the nefarious schemes of — who else? — George Soros.

The New York Times

Both buildings have pages on MySpace, where 248's status is posted as "swinger," and 255's interests are listed as "saving the world from 248 McKibbin St.'s nefarious schemes; kayaking".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

So when Gertrud clubbed Oliver with the table lamp to stop him killing Viktoria, it wasn't a humane action that had the perhaps unintended consequence of killing him; rather, she was protecting her timebomb, whom she needed to attend that EU summit so her nefarious scheme could achieve maximum nefariousness.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The misrepresentations to the court made possible, of course, the consummation of this nefarious scheme.

Cornell University

It was up to "grassroots Republicans" to stop this nefarious scheme.

The New Yorker

To stop the nefarious scheme, crowds have to scream (à la Tinkerbell).

The New York Times - Travel

Barnaba, like the evil genius in any cheap thriller, proudly reveals his nefarious scheme to Enzo.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nefarious schemes" to describe carefully planned and devious plans, especially when highlighting the immoral or illegal nature of the plans. It adds a layer of condemnation and emphasizes the negative impact.

Common error

While "nefarious schemes" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing where more neutral or precise terms might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unethical strategies" or "illegal activities" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nefarious schemes" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "nefarious" modifies the noun "schemes". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing the nature of plans or activities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science & Research

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nefarious schemes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes wicked and carefully planned plots. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase conveys a strong negative connotation and is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While perfectly correct, be mindful of overusing it in overly formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives when appropriate. Related phrases such as "wicked plots" or "sinister designs" can provide variety. The phrase’s purpose is typically to condemn and highlight the immoral or illegal nature of plans, enhancing the sense of drama or disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wicked plots

Replaces "nefarious" with "wicked" and "schemes" with "plots", maintaining a similar negative connotation.

evil plans

Substitutes "nefarious" with "evil" and "schemes" with "plans", conveying a strong sense of malice.

sinister designs

Replaces "nefarious" with "sinister" and "schemes" with "designs", emphasizing a hidden and malevolent intent.

criminal conspiracies

Focuses on the illegal aspect of the schemes, using "criminal" to describe the nature and "conspiracies" to highlight the secret collaboration.

corrupt machinations

Highlights the corruption involved in the schemes, using "corrupt" to describe the nature and "machinations" to emphasize the manipulative aspect.

treacherous ploys

Emphasizes the deceitful nature of the schemes, using "treacherous" and "ploys" to convey betrayal.

devious stratagems

Highlights the cunning and deceptive nature of the schemes, using "devious" and "stratagems".

dishonest tactics

Focuses on the lack of honesty in the schemes, using "dishonest" and "tactics" to describe the actions.

fraudulent activities

Emphasizes the deceptive and illegal nature, using "fraudulent" to describe the "activities".

unscrupulous undertakings

Highlights the lack of moral principles involved, using "unscrupulous" and "undertakings".

FAQs

How can I use "nefarious schemes" in a sentence?

You can use "nefarious schemes" to describe elaborate and wicked plans. For example: "The villain was known for his "nefarious schemes" to take over the city."

What's the difference between "nefarious schemes" and "evil plans"?

"Nefarious schemes" suggests a complex and carefully crafted plan, while "evil plans" is a more general term for malevolent intentions. The former implies a higher degree of sophistication and deceit.

What are some alternatives to "nefarious schemes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "wicked plots", "sinister designs", or "criminal conspiracies".

Is it appropriate to use "nefarious schemes" in formal writing?

While "nefarious schemes" is generally acceptable, consider the tone and audience. In highly formal contexts, more neutral or precise terms like "unethical strategies" or "illegal activities" may be more suitable.