a bad joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad joke" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a joke that is not funny or is in poor taste. Example: "Everyone fell silent after he told a bad joke about the situation, and it only made things more awkward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a bad joke.

Independent

A bad joke".

The New Yorker

It's like a bad joke, right?

Yale University

That looks like a bad joke now.

The Economist

What?! It's like a bad joke".

The New Yorker

It sounds like a bad joke.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now it's a bad joke.

The Guardian - Business

Standard bearers or just a bad joke?

The Guardian - Money

Or a bad joke, I said.

The Guardian - Books

And yet: life is a bad joke.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Kerry made a bad joke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bad joke" to describe something intended to be humorous but failed, often due to poor execution or inappropriate content.

Common error

While "a bad joke" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more nuanced descriptors like "unsuccessful attempt at humor" or "inappropriate remark" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad joke" functions as a noun phrase, with "bad" serving as an adjective that modifies the noun "joke". Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. The phrase typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bad joke" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an unsuccessful attempt at humor. According to Ludwig, it is used primarily in News & Media and academia, conveying disapproval or disappointment. While its register is generally neutral, it's essential to consider the context and audience, especially in formal settings. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate your assessment of a failed joke. Alternatives include "a poor attempt at humor" and "an offensive remark".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor attempt at humor

Focuses on the lack of quality in the humor attempt.

an offensive remark

Highlights the potential to cause offense.

a tasteless jest

Emphasizes the lack of good taste in the joke.

a lame gag

Focuses on the weakness and lack of impact of the joke.

a failed attempt at comedy

Highlights the unsuccessful nature of the comedic effort.

an inappropriate comment

Emphasizes the unsuitability of the remark in a given context.

a pathetic excuse for humor

Underlines the inadequacy and poor quality of the joke.

a misguided attempt at levity

Focuses on the poor judgment in trying to be lighthearted.

a blunder of a joke

Highlights the mistake made in attempting the joke.

a dud joke

Implies the joke was completely ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "a bad joke" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad joke" to describe something intended to be funny but failing to achieve its purpose. For example, "His attempt at humor fell flat; it was "a bad joke"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a bad joke"?

Instead of "a bad joke", you might say "a poor attempt at humor", "an offensive remark", or "a tasteless jest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a joke "a bad joke"?

A joke can be considered "a bad joke" if it is not funny, poorly timed, offensive, or simply doesn't make sense to the audience. It fails to elicit laughter or amusement and may even cause discomfort.

Is there a difference between "a bad joke" and "a sad joke"?

Yes, "a bad joke" refers to a joke that is not funny, while "a sad joke" often implies that a situation is so unfortunate or ironic that it's almost laughable in its despair. The former is about humor failing, the latter about finding dark humor in tragedy.