trace of corruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trace of corruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small indication or evidence of corrupt practices or behavior in a person, organization, or system. Example: "The investigation revealed a trace of corruption within the department, prompting further scrutiny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through a series of plea-bargain deals with defendants, prosecutors were able to trace the trail of corruption from a Brasilia car wash to the country's Congress.

The Washington Post

Since corruption is difficult to identify and trace, perceptions of corruption have been found to be more reliable.

Global Health Action

Any public trace of the corruption charges — leveled by one of the general's own investigators — has disappeared.

The New York Times

"All her shame had obviously touched her only mechanically; no trace of real corruption had yet crept into her heart; he could see that; it was her real self that stood before him......

The New Yorker

Britain's Michael Sullivan, QC, was among a group of lawyers to give his backing to this week's ruling and call for courts in the West to be used to trace the proceeds of corruption in Africa "The main reason for doing this isn't because it's easier to get a result in a Western court," he said.

Independent

Wandering the streets of St .Petersburg and Moscow last summer, and visiting small towns in Karelia and the Ural Mountains, Mr. Friedman found traces of political corruption everywhere, from a polluted nuclear complex (Slides 7 and 18) to a crooked festival (Slide 4) to a toxic slag heap at a copper smelting plant (Slide 12).

The New York Times

Histories of administration and liquidation, along with the trails that might otherwise be followed by law enforcement officials from the UK and elsewhere tracing various forms of corruption and tax abuse".

The Guardian - Business

Author Jake Arnott traces the history of corruption in the Metropolitan police.

BBC

Author Jake Arnott traces the history of corruption in the Metropolitan police, from Dixon of Dock Green to Line of Duty.

BBC

In the past decade or so Nigeria's armed forces and its diplomatic muscle have helped end wars in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.Yet Nigeria is also an exporter of insecurity, much of which can be traced to dizzying levels of corruption and political inertia.

The Economist

In that vein, Teachout also published a book this year titled Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin's Snuff Box to Citizens United, which traces the legal history of corruption.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trace of corruption", ensure the context clearly establishes what actions or situations constitute the corrupt behavior. Be specific rather than vague.

Common error

Avoid using "trace of corruption" when the evidence suggests widespread or systemic corruption. "Trace" implies a minimal or residual amount, so choose a stronger phrase if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace of corruption" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a minimal amount or indication of corrupt practices. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trace of corruption" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate a minimal or subtle presence of corruption. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English. While versatile, it is important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the described situation genuinely reflects a small or residual amount of corruption rather than more widespread issues. Alternatives like "hint of corruption" or "sign of corruption" can provide similar connotations, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of corruption

Replaces "trace" with "hint", suggesting a subtle indication.

sign of corruption

Substitutes "trace" with "sign", implying a more noticeable indication.

evidence of corruption

Uses "evidence" instead of "trace", indicating more concrete proof.

indication of corruption

Replaces "trace" with "indication", suggesting something that points to corruption.

suggestion of corruption

Uses "suggestion" to indicate a less direct implication of corruption.

whiff of corruption

Employs "whiff" to suggest a faint or subtle indication.

suspicion of corruption

Indicates a feeling that corruption may be present.

shadow of corruption

Implies that corruption is looming or suspected.

vestige of corruption

Suggests a remaining or lingering trace of corruption.

taint of corruption

Indicates that something has been contaminated or affected by corruption.

FAQs

How can I use "trace of corruption" in a sentence?

You can use "trace of corruption" to describe a small indication or evidence of corrupt practices. For example: "The investigation revealed a "trace of corruption" within the department, prompting further scrutiny."

What is the difference between "trace of corruption" and "evidence of corruption"?

"Trace of corruption" suggests a small, subtle indication, while "evidence of corruption" implies more substantial and verifiable proof.

What can I say instead of "trace of corruption"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of corruption", "sign of corruption", or "indication of corruption" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "slight trace of corruption"?

Yes, "slight trace of corruption" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the minimal nature of the indication. The word "slight" is intended to strengthen the idea of a small amount.