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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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shady practices

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"shady practices" is correct and usable in written English.
In general, this phrase refers to any unethical, illegal, or morally questionable activities. For example, "The company was accused of engaging in shady practices, such as money laundering and tax evasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stockholders weren't just the victims of such shady practices.

News & Media

The New York Times

Shady practices: agroforestry and gender politics in The Gambia.

Discusses widespread shady practices in which conflict of interest is not considered important.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Rumors about shady practices — unethical, possibly illegal — in the Indian media have circulated for years.

News & Media

The New York Times

When it comes to shady practices, it isn't their place to ask such questions.

News & Media

The Guardian

"They [pharmaceutical companies] don't need to engage in shady practices to turn a profit," he said.

-- Schroeder, Richard A. Shady practices: agroforestry and gender politics in The Gambia.

Actually, China arrested a few bankers this year as part of an investigation into shady practices in the interbank market.

News & Media

The New York Times

Journalists in Britain have traditionally justified shady practices by arguing that they are in "the public interest".

News & Media

The New York Times

"The Taxi & Limousine Commission has a duty to protect the public from unsavory businesses and their shady practices," wrote Phillips.

But Laro argued that such a move would force fish sellers back into shady practices of old.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "shady practices", provide specific examples to substantiate your claims and avoid generalizations. This strengthens your argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "shady practices" as a blanket term without specifying the actual actions. Clearly articulate what makes the practices questionable to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shady practices" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig examples show it describing a range of unethical or illegal activities within various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shady practices" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe unethical, illegal, or morally questionable activities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Grammatically sound and frequently found in news and media, as well as academic and business contexts, the phrase serves to condemn actions lacking transparency and integrity. Alternatives such as "unethical conduct" or "questionable dealings" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "shady practices", it's best to provide specific examples and avoid overuse without context to maintain clarity and credibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "shady practices" to describe unethical or illegal activities. For example, "The investigation revealed the company's "shady practices", including tax evasion and money laundering."

What are some alternatives to "shady practices"?

Alternatives to "shady practices" include "unethical conduct", "questionable dealings", or "dubious activities", depending on the specific context.

Is "shady practices" a formal or informal term?

"Shady practices" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or legal settings, more precise terms like "fraudulent schemes" or "illegal operations" may be preferred.

What distinguishes "shady practices" from "unethical behavior"?

"Unethical behavior" is a broader term encompassing any action that violates ethical principles. "Shady practices" specifically implies activities that are suspicious, questionable, and potentially illegal or dishonest. In other words, "shady practices" are always unethical, but unethical behavior isn't always shady.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: