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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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nepotism

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nepotism" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this word to refer to the practice of showing favoritism to family and friends in positions of power or employment. For example, "The CEO has been accused of nepotism because he has hired several of his relatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not nepotism!

News & Media

The Guardian

Yet, unlike the English (and Italians), I am imbued with an Australian contempt for divisions of class, for overt shows of elitism and blatant nepotism.

Fury at corruption and nepotism, youth unemployment at 28.7%, low wages and limited job opportunities that force qualified Bulgarians to find work overseas, and a sense that those in power have for too long put their own interests above those of the country, have coalesced this year into one long pulse of anger.

News & Media

The Guardian

Although appalled by corruption, he cheerfully admits to granting interviews to journalists whose fathers were his friends (including, full disclosure, the editor who commissioned this piece), while denying others' requests, and looks astonished when I call this nepotism.

News & Media

The Guardian

The long-running political drama starring Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's relentless campaign to democratically reform Malaysia's government of its corruption and nepotism recently took another absurd turn with his criminal prosecution for allegedly sodomising a former aide.

No, it's not about nepotism, it's about helping people, if you know them".

News & Media

The Guardian

Too much of big business and government depends on nepotism and unfair chances in life.

It found remote communities were vulnerable to nepotism and exploitation by both community leaders and people with links to organised crime, targeting mining royalties and government funds meant for Indigenous programs.

News & Media

The Guardian

What applies here is: An agreement is an agreement!" Meanwhile, Germany's left-leaning die Tageszeitung reported that "the victory of Syriza is a chance for Greece to free itself from the decades of corruption and nepotism, with which both the conservative New Democracy and the social democratic Pasok were inextricably bound".

News & Media

The Guardian

I despair at the inefficiency and corruption of the political system, the nepotism that flavours the labour market and the cultural emphasis on la bella figura, which values grooming, being well turned out and living in a well-kept home over national pride and a collective respect for the public domain.

Still, his administration has been accused of nepotism and cronyism over the hiring of children of senior officials and an unqualified campaign supporter.In the past the mayor has denied running a corrupt campaign, claiming ignorance of his aides' misdeeds.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "nepotism", provide specific examples or instances to strengthen your argument and avoid generalizations. Clear evidence makes the accusation more credible.

Common error

Avoid justifying "nepotism" by framing it as mere 'help' to someone you know. While helping others is generally positive, "nepotism" implies an unfair advantage based on relationships rather than merit.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nepotism" is as a noun, referring to the practice of showing favoritism to relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nepotism" functions as a noun denoting the act of favoring relatives or friends, especially in professional settings. Ludwig indicates its usage is grammatically correct and very common, primarily within News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. The term often carries negative connotations, used to criticize unfair practices. When writing about "nepotism", it's advisable to provide concrete examples and avoid downplaying it as simple "helping". Understanding its implications is crucial for maintaining fairness and transparency in various spheres.

FAQs

How can I use "nepotism" in a sentence?

"Nepotism" can be used to describe situations where someone in power unfairly favors relatives or friends, such as, "The company's hiring practices were criticized for alleged nepotism.""

What's a good alternative to the word "nepotism"?

Depending on the context, you could use "favoritism towards relatives", "cronyism", or "preferential treatment".

Is "nepotism" always a negative thing?

While not inherently illegal, "nepotism" is generally viewed negatively because it undermines meritocracy and can lead to less qualified individuals being placed in important positions.

How does "nepotism" differ from simply helping a family member?

"Nepotism" implies an unfair advantage or preferential treatment in a professional context, whereas helping a family member can be unrelated to professional opportunities or competence.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: