questionable practices

USAGE SUMMARY

'questionable practices' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to any practices, behaviors, or habits that can be perceived as ethically or morally wrong. For example, "The company was accused of engaging in questionable practices in order to increase profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A story that calls into question the already questionable practices of an encyclopedia website.

Huffington Post

"I'm sure there are questionable practices.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a place plagued by questionable practices".

The New York Times

And that, in turn, leads to some questionable practices.

The New York Times

Complicated organisational arrangements seem to leave space for questionable practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

The suit claims she was aware of Autonomy's supposedly questionable practices from analyst and press reports.

The Guardian - Business

The internal memorandums charge that part of that success, at least, was built on questionable practices.

The New York Times

But like other questionable practices in the state, it's a tradition.

The New York Times

The goal is to curtail abuses and protect the public from questionable practices.

The New York Times

Depositions of executives at Penn Treaty also point to questionable practices.

The New York Times

Derek Fisher had been virtually isolated in his drive to have Hunter's questionable practices exposed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "questionable practices", be specific about what makes the practices questionable. Provide context or examples to clarify the nature of the concern.

Common error

Avoid using "questionable practices" as a vague accusation. Always substantiate the claim with evidence or details to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questionable practices" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating it refers to behaviors or habits viewed as ethically or morally wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questionable practices" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that refers to behaviors or actions considered ethically or morally dubious. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and science. While suitable for formal writing, its use should be specific and substantiated with evidence to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "shady practices" or "unethical behavior" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. The phrase serves to express concern or disapproval and is a valuable tool for discussing ethical considerations in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shady practices

Focuses on the deceptive or secretive nature of the practices.

dubious practices

Emphasizes uncertainty or doubt about the acceptability or morality of the practices.

unethical practices

Directly addresses the lack of ethical standards in the practices.

irregular practices

Highlights the deviation from established norms or regulations.

suspect practices

Suggests that the practices are under suspicion of being wrong or illegal.

objectionable practices

Indicates that the practices are likely to cause offense or be disputed.

controversial practices

Points to practices that are subject to public disagreement or debate.

dodgy practices

An informal term implying dishonesty or unreliability.

fishy practices

Colloquial term indicating something seems suspicious or not quite right.

corrupt practices

Highlights actions involving bribery or illegal behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "questionable practices" to describe actions or behaviors that raise ethical or moral concerns. For example, "The investigation revealed the company's involvement in "shady practices"."

What are some alternatives to "questionable practices"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unethical behavior", "dubious activities", or "irregular conduct".

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

Yes, "questionable practices" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing ethical or legal issues. However, ensure your claims are well-supported with evidence.

What distinguishes "questionable practices" from "illegal activities"?

"Questionable practices" encompasses actions that may be ethically or morally wrong but not necessarily illegal. "Illegal activities", on the other hand, refers specifically to actions that violate the law.