to do wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to do wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of committing an immoral or unethical action. Example: "He knew it was wrong to do wrong, yet he proceeded anyway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Clients who are determined to do wrong probably can.

The Economist

"If people want to do wrong, they will also try to hide it".

Independent

If people want to do wrong, they will try to hide it.

The Guardian - Sport

"In this life it's not hard to do wrong," he said.

The New York Times

Once it's in that realm, you can try to do wrong, and it won't happen.

The New Yorker

Ms. Singh: "Just driving downtown is a crash course in what to do wrong".

The New York Times

It is easy to do wrong; simple self-interest explains it, if nothing else.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And its characters have ample motives and opportunities to do wrong.

The New York Times - Books

A martini is almost impossible to do wrong, she said, "so you can hire a less-experienced, less-expensive bartender".

The New York Times - Food

If you're scared, you're thinking about what's going to happen: What am I going to do wrong?

The New Yorker

Yes, we have suffered terribly, but "we don't have to do wrong just because we were wronged".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to do wrong" when you want to express the general act of committing an immoral, unethical, or illegal action without specifying the particular transgression. It's suitable for discussions about intent or potential for wrongdoing.

Common error

While "to do wrong" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or legal documents where more precise terminology like "to commit an offense" or "to act unlawfully" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to do wrong" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as a verb complement or an adverbial modifier. It describes the action of behaving immorally or unethically. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to do wrong" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for describing the act of committing an immoral or unethical action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While versatile, consider using more specific alternatives like "to act unethically" or "to commit a wrong" in formal contexts. Its presence in news, philosophical texts, and general discourse highlights its widespread understanding and acceptance. Remember that while this phrase is acceptable, there may be more precise terminology depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to act wrongly

Replaces "do" with "act", emphasizing the action itself. Slightly more formal.

to commit a wrong

Uses "commit" instead of "do", focusing on the completion of an unethical act.

to do evil

A stronger and more dramatic way of saying "to do wrong", implying malice.

to act unethically

Focuses specifically on violating ethical principles or codes.

to behave badly

General term for inappropriate behavior, less specific than "to do wrong".

to violate moral code

Highlights the breach of moral principles, placing emphasis on societal values.

to err

A concise, formal way of saying "to make a mistake or do something wrong".

to transgress

Implies violating a moral or legal boundary; more formal and stronger.

to sin

Specifically refers to violating religious or moral laws.

to go astray

Suggests a deviation from a correct or moral path, often implying a loss of direction.

FAQs

How can I use "to do wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "to do wrong" to describe the act of committing an immoral or unethical action. For example: "He knew it was wrong "to do wrong", but he did it anyway."

What can I say instead of "to do wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "to act wrongly", "to commit a wrong", or "to behave badly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to do wrong" or "to make wrong"?

"To do wrong" is the standard and accepted phrase. "To make wrong" is not commonly used and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "to do wrong" and "to be wrong"?

"To do wrong" refers to the act of committing an immoral or unethical action, whereas "to be wrong" indicates an incorrect assessment or judgment.