questionable funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questionable funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing financial matters where the legitimacy or source of the funds is uncertain or suspicious. Example: "The auditor flagged several transactions involving questionable funds that require further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It wants to avoid a reputation as a tax haven or somewhere dodgy to park questionable funds.

The Economist

MADRID — Twenty-two law firms will form a worldwide alliance to collaborate on financial litigation against questionable funds and other financial products sold across borders in the wake of scandals like that of Bernard L. Madoff.

The New York Times

Another announced candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was named in a recent Senate report on money laundering; the report said his wife helped her husband transfer more than $40 million in questionable funds to the United States.

The New York Times

In September, bank officials identified millions of dollars in questionable funds that flowed through a Riggs account opened under the name of a corporation called Otong starting in 1999, according to a report dated Jan . 30that Riggs filed with federal regulators.

The New York Times

Trump has repeatedly said flattering things about Putin, and at least one of his hotels was financed by questionable funds from Eastern Europe. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Liu was not charged, but federal investigators depicted his campaign as condoning, if not orchestrating, questionable fund-raising practices.

The New York Times

Prudential Securities fired 12 brokers and managers for their role in questionable fund trading, and Merrill Lynch fired three senior brokers.

The New York Times

A Justice Department official has recommended that an independent counsel be named to investigate Mr. Gore's role in the Democrats' questionable fund-raising activities of 1996.

The New York Times

In the end there was insufficient evidence that Mr. Gore had knowledge of or involvement in any questionable fund-raising activities that may have been conducted on his behalf.

The New York Times

The number of inquiries from consumers about questionable fund-raising efforts has increased by about 40percentt since Sept. 11, Mr. Weiner said.

The New York Times

They have been using partisan poll data, questionable fund-raising hopes and implied promises of future rewards in the event of defeat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "questionable funds", consider the context. If you suspect actual illegal activity, "suspicious funds" or "illegitimate funds" might be more appropriate. If it's simply a matter of uncertain origin, stick with "questionable funds".

Common error

Avoid using "questionable funds" in extremely formal or legal documents if a more precise term like "unverified assets" or "funds of undetermined origin" is available. Choose terminology that best reflects the specific concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questionable funds" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "questionable" modifies the noun "funds". It's used to describe financial resources that are of uncertain or suspect origin or legitimacy, as Ludwig indicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questionable funds" describes financial resources of uncertain or suspicious origin. Grammatically correct and generally acceptable, as determined by Ludwig, its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly found in news and media, and formal business contexts, it serves to raise concerns about the legitimacy of the funds. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "funds of undetermined origin" are preferable. When considering the accuracy and precision, always think about the context of your text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dubious funds

Replaces "questionable" with a synonym suggesting uncertainty or doubt.

Suspicious funds

Emphasizes the element of distrust or potential illegality.

Illegitimate funds

Highlights the unlawful nature of the funds.

Shady funds

An informal term suggesting something secretive or untrustworthy.

Contested funds

Suggests a dispute over the ownership or legality of the funds.

Disputed funds

Similar to contested, but perhaps less formal.

Funds of doubtful origin

Focuses on the unknown and potentially problematic source of the funds.

Funds under investigation

Indicates that the funds are currently subject to scrutiny.

Unverified funds

Suggests that the funds have not been properly authenticated or validated.

Secret funds

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the funds.

FAQs

What does "questionable funds" mean?

The phrase "questionable funds" refers to money or financial resources whose source, legitimacy, or intended use is uncertain or suspicious. It implies doubt or concern about the funds' origin or purpose.

How can I use "questionable funds" in a sentence?

You might say, "The investigation revealed several transactions involving "questionable funds" that require further scrutiny" or "The politician's campaign was partly financed by "questionable funds" from unknown donors."

Are there synonyms for "questionable funds"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "dubious funds", "suspicious funds", or "funds of doubtful origin" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "questionable funds" in formal writing?

Yes, "questionable funds" is generally acceptable in formal writing, particularly in news reports and investigative journalism. However, in legal or official documents, more precise terms might be preferable for clarity and accuracy.