social evil

USAGE SUMMARY

"social evil" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to something in society which is seen as immoral or wrong. For example, "Though great strides have been made in reducing poverty, inequality remains a social evil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Price inflation is a social evil and politically unpopular.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But on top of this social evil is an environmental one.

The Economist

The serious social evil that needs to be tackled involves racism masquerading as religious intolerance.

The Guardian

I repeat: drunkenness is a real and growing social evil, drink is not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even the pope this week tweeted that "Inequality is the root of social evil".

The Guardian - Opinion

Pope Francis recently put this in stark terms when he called increasing inequality "the root of social evil".

The Guardian - Business

But heterophobia as a looming social evil that requires scrutiny, legislation and an anguished cry of "Just say no!"?

The Guardian - Opinion

It's unclear why the final product is manhole covers -- perhaps they're a social boon made from a social evil.

The New York Times

The critic who wrote in The New York Sun that the play was "little more than a tract on social evil" wasn't far off the mark.

The New York Times

"Blatant discrimination is a social evil we have worked hard to eradicate in the United States," he said in a statement.

The New York Times

After years in which AIDS was denounced as a social evil, Vietnam's communist rulers have begun to attend AIDS-awareness functions and promote AIDS-prevention schemes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "social evil", ensure the context clearly establishes the moral or ethical basis for considering something 'evil'. Overuse can diminish its impact, so reserve it for issues with significant societal consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "social evil" in overly casual or hyperbolic ways. It's a strong term and can sound melodramatic if applied to minor inconveniences or disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social evil" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig examples illustrate its use to identify and categorize deeply problematic issues within a community or society. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social evil" is a frequently used noun phrase employed to denote significantly harmful and immoral aspects of society. According to Ludwig, its function is to condemn such issues, promoting recognition and action. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. While grammatically correct, it is important to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "societal ill" or "social problem" offer less judgmental options. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is well-established and correctly used in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

societal ill

Replaces "evil" with "ill", suggesting a sickness or ailment affecting society. It's a more clinical and less judgmental term.

societal blight

Uses "blight" to convey a sense of decay and damage to society, similar in intensity to "evil".

social problem

A more general term that describes an undesirable condition in society. Lacks the strong negative connotation of "evil".

public menace

Focuses on the threat posed to the public by the issue, rather than its inherent immorality.

social injustice

Highlights the unfairness and inequity of the issue, emphasizing the violation of rights and fairness.

moral wrong

Emphasizes the ethical dimension of the issue, focusing on its violation of moral principles.

detrimental practice

Focuses on the harmful actions or customs within society, avoiding a direct judgment of evil.

undesirable trend

Describes a negative pattern or tendency emerging in society, less accusatory than "social evil".

pervasive issue

Highlights the widespread nature of the problem, focusing on its impact rather than its moral quality.

troubling phenomenon

Suggests something alarming and concerning occurring in society, without explicitly labeling it as evil.

FAQs

How can I use "social evil" in a sentence?

You can use "social evil" to describe practices or conditions considered deeply harmful or immoral within a society. For instance, "Poverty is often considered a "social evil" due to its widespread negative consequences".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "social evil"?

Some alternatives include "societal ill", "social problem", "societal blight", or "public menace". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "social evil" a subjective term?

Yes, what constitutes a "social evil" can be subjective and vary across cultures and time periods. However, some issues like systemic discrimination or extreme inequality are widely recognized as "social evils".

What's the difference between "social evil" and "social problem"?

"Social problem" is a broader term that encompasses any undesirable condition within a society. "Social evil" carries a stronger connotation of immorality and deep-seated harm, suggesting something that requires urgent and fundamental change. Essentially, a "social evil" is a particularly serious type of "social problem".