there is illegal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is illegal" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a complete or clear expression and lacks context to convey a specific meaning. Example: "In this situation, there is illegal activity occurring that must be reported."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Abandoned stations like this — and there are a fair number of them in the city — are irresistible to those who search out hidden spaces in the city, despite or perhaps because of the fact that being there is illegal and potentially dangerous.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost a third of hardwood lumber and plywood traded in the global markets may be of suspicious provenance.Greenpeace has mounted an aggressive campaign against illegal logging in Papua New Guinea since 2004 when the conservation group published a report indicating that 90% of logging there is illegal.

The Economist

The Gibraltar government says fishing with large nets there is illegal because of an environmental law.

BBC

"Everything there is illegal".

The New Yorker

"In some of these countries though there is illegal hunting or poaching causing the decline".

The Guardian

"When there is illegal content on the platform we are obligated to take it down," she says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Some still claim that NATO's intervention there was illegal, since it lacked explicit UN endorsement.

The Economist

Perhaps on board the ship there were illegal immigrants who may have taken control of the vessel".

Independent

But officials of the Police Department's traffic control division determined that parking there was illegal and hazardous.

The New York Times

One of the reasons there are illegal immigrants from Mexico is because they "can't make a living in their own dirtbag country," he said.

The New York Times

Through this porous border there are illegal immigrants and fundamentalist groups gaining entry into the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "there is illegal". Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "there is illegal activity" or "illegal actions exist" for clarity and precision.

Common error

The phrase "there is illegal" uses "illegal" as a predicate nominative, but "illegal" is an adjective and cannot function as a noun. Always use a noun or noun phrase after "there is".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function is to assert the existence of something illegal, but it lacks a necessary noun. Ludwig AI marks this as grammatically incorrect, advising against its use in formal writing. The analyzed examples reflect instances where a noun should follow.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "there is illegal" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The proper way to express this idea is to include a noun after "there is", such as "there is illegal activity", "there is illegal construction", or "there is illegal logging". Although the phrase is sometimes used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing and speech. Relying on grammatically correct alternatives ensures clarity and accuracy in your communication. Related phrases include "illegal activity exists" and "there is unlawful behavior".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illegal activity exists

Emphasizes the existence of illegal activity.

there is unlawful behavior

Replaces "illegal" with "unlawful" to describe behavior.

illegal actions are present

Highlights the presence of illegal actions.

there is illicit conduct

Uses "illicit conduct" as a substitute for "illegal".

illegal operations are occurring

Focuses on the ongoing nature of illegal operations.

there is illegal commerce

Specifically refers to illegal commerce.

illegal trade is present

Highlights the presence of illegal trade.

there is an illegal market

Points to the existence of an illegal market.

an illegal situation has arisen

Describes an illegal situation that has occurred.

there is unauthorized activity

Uses "unauthorized activity" as a substitute for "illegal activity".

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct way to express the existence of something illegal?

Instead of "there is illegal", use phrases like "there is illegal activity", "illegal actions exist", or "illegal operations are occurring".

Why is the phrase "there is illegal" considered incorrect?

The word "illegal" is an adjective and requires a noun to modify. The phrase should be structured to include a noun, such as "there is illegal conduct" or "there is an illegal operation".

What are some alternatives to "there is illegal" that maintain a similar meaning?

Consider using alternatives like "illegal activities are present", "there is unlawful behaviour", or "there is illicit trade" to convey the same idea with better grammar.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "there is illegal", and why should I avoid it?

While the phrase might appear in informal contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. In formal writing and speech, always use a noun after "there is", such as "there is illegal construction" or "there is illegal logging".