suspicious activity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious activity" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior or actions that are considered questionable or potentially harmful. Example: "The security guard reported suspicious activity near the back entrance of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, none reported suspicious activity.

The New York Times

The defence ministry appealed for information on any suspicious activity.

The Guardian

And there are signs the suspicious activity continues.

The New York Times

Prosecutors are also mining suspicious activity reports filed by HSBC.

The New York Times

Your online searching can be monitored for suspicious activity.

The New York Times

Though legal, the action should have triggered reports of suspicious activity by the bank.

The New York Times

Sergeant Urquhart said residents were urged to call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

The New York Times

Security officers observed what looked like suspicious activity in Fike's sport utility vehicle.

The New York Times - Sports

An announcement during ferry runs asks passengers to report suspicious activity to a crew member.

The New York Times

An announcement during ferry runs asks passengers to report any suspicious activity to a crew member.

The New York Times

The most recent satellite images of the Kilju show that the suspicious activity has subsided.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting "suspicious activity", ensure the report is objective and based on factual observations rather than personal opinions or biases.

Common error

Avoid reporting activity solely based on someone's appearance, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics. Focus on the behavior itself and whether it poses a legitimate threat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious activity" functions as a noun phrase, where "suspicious" modifies the noun "activity". Ludwig's AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It generally serves as the subject or object of a sentence when describing questionable actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspicious activity" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions that appear questionable or potentially illegal. As affirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, providing specific details is key to accurate reporting. While alternatives like "shady activity" or "unusual activity" exist, "suspicious activity" remains a widely recognized and understood term for describing potentially harmful or illegal behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspect activity

Employs "suspect" as a direct synonym for "suspicious", indicating something is not as it seems.

shady activity

Replaces "suspicious" with "shady", implying a lack of transparency or honesty.

questionable activity

Substitutes "suspicious" with "questionable", suggesting the activity is doubtful or uncertain.

unusual activity

Replaces "suspicious" with "unusual", focusing on the deviation from the norm.

doubtful activity

Uses "doubtful" instead of "suspicious", indicating uncertainty about the activity's legitimacy.

fishy behavior

Uses "fishy" to describe the behavior, suggesting something is amiss or deceitful.

odd behavior

Substitutes "suspicious" with "odd", highlighting the strangeness of the actions.

dubious conduct

Uses "dubious" and "conduct" for a more formal and critical tone.

irregular conduct

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms, indicating behavior that doesn't follow rules.

anomalous behavior

Employs more technical terms to describe a deviation from expected actions.

FAQs

How can I use "suspicious activity" in a sentence?

You can use "suspicious activity" to describe actions that seem unusual or potentially illegal. For example, "The witness reported "suspicious activity" near the bank at midnight."

What is considered "suspicious activity"?

"Suspicious activity" can include a wide range of behaviors, such as loitering, unusual surveillance, or attempts to gain unauthorized access. The key is that the activity is out of the ordinary and raises concern.

What can I say instead of "suspicious activity"?

You can use alternatives like "shady activity", "questionable activity", or "unusual activity" depending on the context.

Should I always report "suspicious activity" to the authorities?

If you observe activity that makes you genuinely concerned for safety or security, it's generally best to report it to the appropriate authorities. Provide as much detail as possible without putting yourself at risk.