shocking conduct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shocking conduct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior that is surprising or disturbing, often in a negative context. Example: "The committee was appalled by the shocking conduct displayed during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In response, the Lloyds chairman, Lord Blackwell, said: "This was truly shocking conduct, undertaken when the bank was on a lifeline of public support".

The Guardian - Business

In a sign of how Ed Miliband is returning the Labour party to its traditional roots, the shadow cabinet office minister Michael Dugher will say that the "shocking" conduct of the Conservative government warranted an apology.

The Guardian

The absolutely shocking conduct of the News of the World – not least in failing to release all their files on the matter three years ago – has lost the confidence of everybody, and they are having to make these large payouts as a result".

Independent

Lord Blackwell replied on 16 July: "This was truly shocking conduct, undertaken when the bank was on a lifeline of public support".

BBC

He said certainty of punishment and speedy justice were cardinal principles of deterrence.In this section Bomb happy Uses and misuses of Amartya Sen The secret in Room 529 Shocking conduct in Singapore Capital crimes On the beach Obuchi rallies his troops ReprintsThat is the main problem for supporters of capital punishment (the majority of Filipinos, by most accounts).

The Economist

Last month British Airways was more punctual than our competitors on more than 80% of routes from Heathrow.LORD MARSHALLChairman, British AirwaysLondonCraving publicitySIR The Singapore government is not embarrassed, shocked or even surprised by Chee Soon Juan's conduct ("Shocking conduct in Singapore", January 9th).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The prosecutor said whatever was or was not done by those agencies "should not detract from the shocking and disgraceful conduct of Amanda Hutton involving six of her children".

BBC

The prosecutor said whatever was or was not done by the relevant agencies "should not detract from the shocking and disgraceful conduct of Amanda Hutton involving six of her children".

BBC

Mr. Pan's lawyers seek the dismissal of the charges against their client on grounds of "outrageous and conscience-shocking" conduct by the government.

The New York Times

Last month, Mr. Pan's lawyers asked a judge to dismiss charges against their client on grounds of "outrageous and conscience-shocking" conduct by the government, which the lawyers said stemmed from an "obsession with prosecuting" Mr. Liu and included actions like misleading judges in wiretap-related documents.

The New York Times

This is shocking behaviour".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shocking conduct", consider the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's outrage, disgust, or simply surprise at the impropriety of the action. Choose synonyms that align with your intended emphasis.

Common error

While "shocking conduct" is acceptable, overuse, especially in formal contexts, might diminish its impact. Substitute with more precise terms like "unethical behavior" or "illegal actions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shocking conduct" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "shocking" modifies the noun "conduct". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is used to describe behavior that is surprising and disturbing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shocking conduct" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe surprisingly unacceptable behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English, primarily appearing in news and formal contexts. While generally neutral in register, the phrase itself expresses strong disapproval. For alternatives, consider "outrageous behavior" or "reprehensible conduct" to convey slightly different nuances of disapproval. When using "shocking conduct", be mindful of the specific tone and formality required by your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outrageous behavior

Replaces "shocking" with "outrageous", emphasizing the extreme and unacceptable nature of the behavior.

appalling behavior

Substitutes "shocking" with "appalling", highlighting the repulsive or dreadful quality of the behavior.

scandalous behavior

Replaces "shocking" with "scandalous", emphasizing the behavior's potential to cause public outrage and damage reputations.

reprehensible conduct

Replaces "shocking" with "reprehensible", focusing on the moral condemnation the behavior deserves.

disgraceful behavior

Replaces "shocking" with "disgraceful", emphasizing the loss of honor or respect associated with the behavior.

unacceptable behavior

Replaces "shocking" with "unacceptable", focusing on how the behavior fails to meet established standards or norms.

egregious conduct

Substitutes "shocking" with "egregious", highlighting the exceptionally bad or offensive quality of the conduct.

atrocious behavior

Replaces "shocking" with "atrocious", emphasizing the extreme cruelty or wickedness of the behavior.

deplorable conduct

Replaces "shocking" with "deplorable", focusing on the behavior being worthy of strong condemnation or disapproval.

offensive conduct

Replaces "shocking" with "offensive", emphasizing the behavior's likelihood to cause hurt feelings or resentment.

FAQs

How can I use "shocking conduct" in a sentence?

"Shocking conduct" is used to describe behavior that is surprisingly and disturbingly inappropriate. For example, "The board condemned the CEO's shocking conduct during the negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "shocking conduct"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "outrageous behavior", "appalling behavior", or "unacceptable behavior".

Is "shocking conduct" a formal phrase?

While "shocking conduct" is understandable in most contexts, it may come across as less formal. In very formal settings, consider stronger synonyms like "egregious misconduct" or "reprehensible behavior".

When should I use "shocking conduct" instead of "bad behavior"?

"Shocking conduct" implies a greater degree of surprise and outrage compared to the more general term "bad behavior". Use "shocking conduct" when the behavior is particularly unexpected or egregious.