socially unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "socially unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behaviors, actions, or attitudes that are not considered appropriate or acceptable within a particular society or community. Example: "His comments during the meeting were deemed socially unacceptable and led to a heated discussion among the attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is the public display of social conservatism becoming simply socially unacceptable?

Huffington Post

But the fact that it's possible to stay in touch with social networks have made those things socially unacceptable.

TechCrunch

It becomes socially unacceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Overt, articulated racial animus has become more socially unacceptable.

The New York Times

The goal: to make eating shark fin socially unacceptable.

The New York Times

Others hold that such a policy is socially unacceptable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stray flags linger but having them simply became socially unacceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

"Clearly smoking is becoming socially unacceptable in Queensland," Dick said.

The Guardian

People treat the condition as almost socially unacceptable," says Cyzrko.

The Guardian - Money

Feminists changed the culture to make domestic violence socially unacceptable.

The New York Times

Conclusions: RFA to the soft palate is a viable option to treat socially unacceptable snoring.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "socially unacceptable" to describe actions or behaviors that violate the established norms and values of a society or community. It's effective when highlighting deviations from expected conduct.

Common error

Avoid using "socially unacceptable" too frequently. Vary your language with synonyms like "inappropriate", "unconventional", or "offensive" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "socially unacceptable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate that something violates or deviates from established social norms and values. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "socially unacceptable" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe behaviors, actions, or attitudes that deviate from societal norms. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently used in various contexts, including news, academic discussions, and scientific publications. The phrase serves to express disapproval or condemnation. While synonyms like "socially inappropriate" or "offensive" can be used, "socially unacceptable" clearly conveys a violation of established social expectations. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

socially inappropriate

Focuses on the lack of suitability within a social context, suggesting a milder deviation from norms than "socially unacceptable".

culturally unacceptable

Highlights the violation of cultural norms rather than general social standards.

not socially acceptable

A more explicit and direct rephrasing of the original phrase using negative construction.

against social norms

Emphasizes the conflict with established social behaviors and expectations.

outside the bounds of social convention

Highlights that the action lies beyond what society typically deems permissible.

taboo

Suggests a stronger prohibition or aversion, often rooted in moral or religious beliefs.

frowned upon

Indicates disapproval, but possibly less intensely than "socially unacceptable".

unconventional

Focuses on a departure from the usual or expected, which may not necessarily be negative but deviates from social norms.

improper

Suggests a lack of decorum or etiquette, often related to specific social situations.

offensive

Emphasizes the potential to cause hurt feelings or anger due to violating social sensitivities.

FAQs

How can I use "socially unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "socially unacceptable" to describe behaviors or actions that are not considered appropriate or permissible within a particular society or group. For example: "His comments were considered "socially unacceptable" and caused a disruption."

What's the difference between "socially unacceptable" and "socially inappropriate"?

"Socially unacceptable" suggests a stronger violation of social norms, while "socially inappropriate" implies a milder deviation from expected behavior. The choice depends on the severity of the breach.

What can I say instead of "socially unacceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "inappropriate", "offensive", or "unconventional" depending on the context.

Is it always clear what is considered "socially unacceptable"?

No, what is deemed "socially unacceptable" can vary significantly depending on cultural context, societal values, and evolving norms. What is considered acceptable in one culture may be unacceptable in another.