to commit wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to commit wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of engaging in unethical or illegal behavior. Example: "The investigation revealed that the company executives chose to commit wrongdoing for personal gain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She doubts that culpable individuals intend to commit wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

The Internet makes it easier to commit wrongdoing and harder to conceal it.

The New York Times

But in Massachusetts, some of the most relevant laws, relating to conspiracy or to being an accessory to a crime, would require prosecutors to prove that archdiocesan officials intended to commit wrongdoing, not just that they were grossly negligent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Zenran had become embroiled in a dispute with Shinran's followers in the Kantō region over provocative beliefs and behaviour, such as the assertion by some of license to commit wrongdoings.

Britannica

American officials were swift to try to limit the damage, with the US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, issuing a statement pledging a "rapid and thorough investigation" with anyone found to have committed wrongdoing to be held "fully accountable".

Independent

The top enforcement official at the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a speech today that in the wake of Enron's collapse, the S.E.C. would seek greater penalties against officers and directors of publicly traded companies that commit wrongdoing and that it would ask Congress to give it more authority in this area.

The New York Times

While the current focus of the legislation is on accounting-related changes, Democrats want to expand the measure to make it simpler to prosecute securities fraud, aid plaintiffs who want to bring private securities fraud lawsuits against corporations, and make it easier for securities regulators to levy fines and impose other penalties on executives and directors who commit wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Should Oracle be found to have committed wrongdoing in this case, it could face the cancellation of all current government contracts, as well as a ban on receiving future contracts from the federal government.

TechCrunch

questioned the agency's supervision of companies it pays to collect payments on federal student loans -- most notably Sallie Mae -- and its record as an enforcer of federal law when those companies are alleged to have committed wrongdoing.

Huffington Post

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D) has been the leading voice pushing for a narrower deal, expressing concern that the proposed settlement would preclude state AGs from fully investigating and prosecuting banks found to have committed wrongdoing.

Huffington Post

However, Tony Estanguet, a three-times Olympic canoeing champion and an IOC member, said Paris would prefer to lose to its sole rival Los Angeles in the September election in Lima, Peru, than to commit any wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal contexts, pair "to commit wrongdoing" with specific details about the actions involved. For example, "to commit wrongdoing related to financial fraud" gives greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to commit wrongdoing" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "to do something wrong" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to commit wrongdoing" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase that describes an action or behavior. It is often used to denote the performance of acts that are unethical, illegal, or morally questionable. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to commit wrongdoing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that refers to performing actions considered unethical, illegal, or morally wrong. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and usable in written English. While it is not exceptionally common, occurring with "Uncommon" frequency, it's often found in news and media contexts, as well as academic and encyclopedic sources. It's important to note that while "to commit wrongdoing" can be used in various scenarios, it carries a formal tone that might be inappropriate for casual conversation. Alternatives like "to do wrong", "to perpetrate misconduct", or "to engage in malfeasance" might be more fitting depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to perpetrate misconduct

Emphasizes a violation of established rules or standards, often within a professional or organizational context.

to engage in malfeasance

Focuses on the breach of public trust or official duty, often implying corruption or abuse of power.

to carry out an offense

Highlights the act of breaking a law or regulation, often with a sense of formality.

to be culpable of misdeed

Highlights the responsibility and guilt associated with the act.

to partake in illegal activities

Specifically points to actions that are prohibited by law.

to be involved in an illicit act

Emphasizes the clandestine or forbidden nature of the activity.

to perform an unethical deed

Focuses on the moral implications of the action, highlighting its departure from ethical principles.

to do wrong

A more general and informal way of expressing the commission of a wrong action.

to transgress standards

Refers to a violation of established norms or expectations.

to stray from rectitude

Indicates a departure from moral uprightness or correctness.

FAQs

How can I use "to commit wrongdoing" in a sentence?

You can use "to commit wrongdoing" to describe actions that are illegal, unethical, or morally wrong. For instance, "The investigation revealed that several employees chose "to commit wrongdoing" to increase their bonuses."

What are some alternatives to "to commit wrongdoing"?

Alternatives include "to perpetrate misconduct", "to engage in malfeasance", or simply "to do wrong" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it more appropriate to say "to commit wrongdoing" or "to do wrong"?

"To commit wrongdoing" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "To do wrong" is a more general and informal expression. The best choice depends on the specific situation and the desired tone.

What distinguishes "to commit wrongdoing" from "to commit a crime"?

"To commit a crime" specifically refers to violating the law, whereas "to commit wrongdoing" encompasses a broader range of unethical or immoral actions that may not necessarily be illegal. Not all wrongdoings are crimes, but all crimes are wrongdoings.