untoward behavior

USAGE SUMMARY

"untoward behavior" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a negative action or wrong behavior. For example: "His untoward behavior in the workplace resulted in his termination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

My mother envisioned nasty habits and untoward behavior -- smoking, drinking, sex, drug use -- that made public toilets a last resort.

The New York Times

Her ambition, for example, is seen as an unattractive compulsion that, at times, has led her into untoward behavior.

The New York Times - Books

The liberal use of narcotics, accompanied by other medications to treat side effects, is seen as appropriate, not indicative of untoward behavior by patients.

The New York Times - Health

Like "Capturing the Friedmans," Klores's movie uses media archeology to reveal the layers of untoward behavior beneath the responsible surface of American Jewish life.

The New Yorker

And unlike recent reports — Mr. Smith's included — that have taken aim at the Goldman's culture and ethics, Trailmix8 insisted that he never saw any untoward behavior.

The New York Times

If parents who know each other won't deal with untoward behavior between their children, why should schools be asked to play policeman?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Homozygous knockin mice of the resulting Rac-FRET strain were born at expected Mendelian ratio, appeared healthy and fertile, lived normal life-spans, and exhibited no untoward behaviors.

Cell Reports

Secondly, because we cannot rule out that some POHs may still engage in untoward behaviors, additional research is necessary to identify subgroups of hospitals that do systematically engage in them.

British Medical Journal

Most of us have experienced the trip home, with a friend or relative, from some gathering, with the friend or relative sniping about someone they just met who has essentially exhibited no untoward behaviors; when pressed, the friend or relative is hard-pressed to explain exactly what they mean; in this case, it's most probable that they have just encountered a perfect mirror.

WikiHow

● China Public Security Bureau for creating a "tourism blacklist" that names and shames untoward Chinese tourism behavior.

Huffington Post

After all, if we don't publicly reject and admonish these untoward courses of behavior, we run the risk of normalizing — and therefore, institutionalizing — them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific instances, replace "untoward behavior" with more descriptive alternatives to provide clarity and impact. For instance, instead of saying "His untoward behavior led to consequences", specify the behavior: "His harassment of colleagues led to disciplinary action."

Common error

Avoid using "untoward behavior" as a vague euphemism to mask serious misconduct. Always ensure clarity and specificity when addressing sensitive issues to prevent misinterpretation and ensure accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untoward behavior" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a category of actions considered inappropriate or undesirable. Ludwig indicates this usage is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untoward behavior" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe inappropriate or undesirable actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's advisable to use more specific language when detailing particular incidents. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives such as "inappropriate behavior" or "misconduct" can provide more direct or nuanced meanings. Remember to avoid vagueness and consider the audience when using this phrase, ensuring your message remains clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inappropriate conduct

Replaces 'behavior' with 'conduct' and 'untoward' with 'inappropriate', emphasizing a lack of suitability.

unacceptable behavior

Substitutes 'untoward' with 'unacceptable', highlighting that the behavior is not permissible.

improper behavior

Uses 'improper' instead of 'untoward', indicating a violation of established rules or norms.

misconduct

A more concise term that encapsulates wrong or improper conduct.

offensive behavior

Focuses on the aspect of the behavior being likely to cause offense or insult.

unethical conduct

Replaces 'behavior' with 'conduct' and 'untoward' with 'unethical', emphasizing a moral deficiency.

reprehensible behavior

Indicates behavior that is deserving of strong condemnation.

negative actions

A more general term referring to actions with adverse consequences.

unseemly actions

Focuses on actions that are inappropriate and violate standards of decorum.

poor behavior

A simpler, more direct way to describe behavior that is not good or acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "untoward behavior" in a sentence?

You can use "untoward behavior" to describe actions that are inappropriate or unacceptable. For example: "The company has a zero-tolerance policy for "inappropriate behavior" and any form of "unethical conduct"".

What's a more formal alternative to "untoward behavior"?

A more formal alternative could be "improper conduct" or "unethical behavior", particularly in professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "untoward behavior"?

You can use alternatives like "inappropriate behavior", "unacceptable behavior", or "misconduct" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "untoward behavior"?

The phrase "untoward behavior" is appropriate when you want to describe actions that are undesirable, inappropriate, or deviate from expected norms, without specifying the exact nature of the actions. It's often used when summarizing or generalizing about negative conduct.