How to use "a unscrupulous"

What Does "a unscrupulous" Mean?

• The phrase "a unscrupulous" is grammatically incorrect. "Unscrupulous" is an adjective that describes someone who is dishonest or lacking in moral principles. Therefore, it needs a noun to modify. The correct phrase is "an unscrupulous [noun]".
• The meaning is compositional; it's simply the adjective "unscrupulous" modifying a noun. The meaning of the whole phrase is the sum of its parts.
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: Article + Adjective + Noun. The correct article is "an" because "unscrupulous" begins with a vowel sound. For example, "an unscrupulous businessman," "an unscrupulous lawyer," "an unscrupulous agent."
• Typical nouns that follow include: person, businessman, lawyer, agent, dealer, lender, individual, etc.
• The components cannot be separated.
• What sounds unnatural: Using "a" instead of "an," using a verb instead of a noun after "unscrupulous," or using an adjective instead of a noun after "unscrupulous."

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from a unscrupulous on Ludwig.guru.

"Scaramouch was portrayed in the improvised Italian comedy as a "unscrupulous servant" who would often get beaten with a wooden sword by a harlequin." — HuffPost

"As a longtime star facing a sudden decline in popularity and a challenge from an unscrupulous ingénue, she's the Bette Davis to Hayden Panettiere's Anne Baxter." — The New York Times - Arts

"But Smith's new agent, Daniel Fegan, portrayed his client as a victim of an unscrupulous agent." — The New York Times - Sports

"He was clearly a victim of an unscrupulous, predatory lender." — HuffPost

"With their 7% and 8% coupon debt issues, a tax free return of such amounts is an easy sell for an unscrupulous broker." — Forbes

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+unscrupulous

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
dishonest person	A straightforward and common alternative.
deceitful individual	More formal and emphasizes the act of deception.
unethical character	Focuses on a lack of moral principles.
corrupt official	Specifically for those in positions of power who abuse it.
shady dealer	Informal, suggests someone involved in questionable transactions.
untrustworthy person	Emphasizes the lack of reliability.
villainous figure	Stronger connotation, suggests malicious intent.

Common Mistakes

• Using the incorrect article: The most common mistake is using "a unscrupulous" instead of "an unscrupulous." The word "unscrupulous" begins with a vowel sound, so it requires the article "an."
• Using the wrong part of speech: For example, saying "an unscrupulous do" instead of "an unscrupulous deed."
• Incorrect word order: While less common, placing the adjective after the noun would be grammatically incorrect.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
an unscrupulous	Lacking moral principles; dishonest.	Article + Adjective + Noun	Neutral

FAQs

Can the parts of "an unscrupulous [noun]" be separated?

No, the parts of the phrase "an unscrupulous [noun]" cannot be separated. The adjective "unscrupulous" directly modifies the noun, and the article "an" is required before the adjective.

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What's the difference between "an unscrupulous person" and "a dishonest person?"

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "an unscrupulous person" might suggest a more active and intentional disregard for moral principles. "A dishonest person" is a more general term for someone who doesn't tell the truth, whereas unscrupulous implies a lack of ethics.

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Why is "a unscrupulous" incorrect, and how can I fix it?

The phrase "a unscrupulous" is incorrect because the word "unscrupulous" begins with a vowel sound. The correct article to use before words starting with a vowel sound is "an." Therefore, the correct phrase is "an unscrupulous" followed by a noun (e.g., an unscrupulous lawyer).