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shady practices
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
unethical conduct
dubious activities
fraudulent schemes
illegal operations
corrupt behavior
fishy business
questionable practices
dodgy means
corrupt practices
foul business
shady dealings
unethical practices
suspect operations
questionable activities
dubious dealings
hanky-panky
impropriety
misconduct
murky activities
questionable transactions
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Stockholders weren't just the victims of such shady practices.
News & Media
Shady practices: agroforestry and gender politics in The Gambia.
Academia
Discusses widespread shady practices in which conflict of interest is not considered important.
News & Media
Rumors about shady practices — unethical, possibly illegal — in the Indian media have circulated for years.
News & Media
When it comes to shady practices, it isn't their place to ask such questions.
News & Media
"They [pharmaceutical companies] don't need to engage in shady practices to turn a profit," he said.
News & Media
-- Schroeder, Richard A. Shady practices: agroforestry and gender politics in The Gambia.
Academia
Actually, China arrested a few bankers this year as part of an investigation into shady practices in the interbank market.
News & Media
Journalists in Britain have traditionally justified shady practices by arguing that they are in "the public interest".
News & Media
"The Taxi & Limousine Commission has a duty to protect the public from unsavory businesses and their shady practices," wrote Phillips.
News & Media
But Laro argued that such a move would force fish sellers back into shady practices of old.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
unethical conduct
Emphasizes the moral aspect of the actions, focusing on violations of ethical principles.
questionable dealings
Highlights the uncertainty and suspicion surrounding the actions, suggesting a lack of transparency.
dubious activities
Suggests a strong element of doubt and potential dishonesty in the actions.
corrupt behavior
Directly accuses the actors of corruption, implying abuse of power or trust.
fraudulent schemes
Focuses on deceit and trickery intended to gain financial or personal advantage.
illegal operations
Highlights the unlawful nature of the actions, emphasizing violations of the law.
deceitful tactics
Emphasizes the use of deception and lies to achieve a goal.
underhanded methods
Suggests a lack of fairness and honesty in the approach used.
manipulative strategies
Highlights the calculated and controlling nature of the actions, implying an intent to influence others unfairly.
fishy business
A more informal way of expressing suspicion and doubt about the legitimacy of activities.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested