a bad kind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad kind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative or undesirable type of something, often in a general context. Example: "There are many different kinds of criticism, but this is a bad kind that only serves to hurt people's feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As for professional fickleness: there seems to be a bad kind and a good kind.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately we have this perception that there is a good kind of bilingualism and a bad kind.

The Guardian

If Boston's staff cannot turn that trend around quickly, the Red Sox could end up making a bad kind of history.

The New York Times

Still, I suspect that some institutions continue to view diversity as they view cholesterol — there's a good kind and a bad kind.

The New York Times

It was a bad kind of rivalry that turned into what I believe was really a secret obsession by John King to damage Virgin.

The Guardian - Business

Strong branding can help drive purchasing decisions, but there's such a thing as a bad kind of strong, and that's what I think Motorola has going with the XYBoard moniker.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It's comfortable, but it's a very bad kind of comfort".

Huffington Post

"It was framed largely as a good vs. bad kind of a story," he said.

The New York Times

"They're making me out to be a very mean, bad kind of a guy and that's not me".

Huffington Post

What you are experiencing are reservations about your relationship and not the good kinds of reservations, like ones to a fancy restaurant, but the bad kind, like a bus ticket to a diarrhea factory (aka Disneyworld).

Vice

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs are a healthy type of fat as are polyunsaturated fats and offer certain benefits such as a reduction in LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), an increase or maintenance of HDL cholesterol (the good kind), help stabilize insulin levels and control blood sugar.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bad kind" to generally categorize something negative, rather than specify a precise attribute. For instance, "That was a bad kind of mistake" is less specific than "That was a careless mistake".

Common error

Avoid using "a bad kind" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to convey the specific nature of the negativity. Instead of "a bad kind of result", consider "an unfavorable outcome" or "a detrimental consequence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad kind" functions as a qualifier to a noun, indicating that the noun it modifies belongs to a negative or undesirable category. Ludwig AI and the provided examples show that it serves to distinguish between positive and negative instances within a broader class of things.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bad kind" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a negative or undesirable instance within a category. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and understood. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts and less appropriate for formal academic writing where greater precision is expected. When using "a bad kind", consider if a more descriptive adjective might better convey the specific negative attribute. Alternatives like "a negative type" or "an undesirable sort" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. Primarily found in news and media, this phrase serves as a straightforward way to express disapproval and guide audiences away from something perceived as negative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negative type

Focuses on the adverse quality of the type, rather than implying a category.

an undesirable sort

Emphasizes the lack of desirability in the category.

a poor variety

Highlights the substandard quality within a range of options.

a detrimental form

Stresses the harmful nature of the form or instance.

an inferior class

Indicates a lower quality or status compared to other classes.

a deficient nature

Points out the lacking or inadequate characteristics.

a substandard version

Highlights that the version falls below the expected standard.

a flawed example

Indicates the presence of imperfections or faults.

a harmful species

Specifically refers to a type that causes harm.

a destructive strain

Emphasizes the capacity for damage or ruin.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bad kind" to describe something negative or undesirable within a broader category. For example, "There's a good kind of stress that motivates you, and "a bad kind" that overwhelms you."

What are some alternatives to using "a bad kind"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a negative type", "an undesirable sort", or "a poor variety" to express a similar meaning.

Is "a bad kind" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a bad kind" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's a standard way to refer to a negative instance of something.

What is the difference between "a bad kind" and "a bad type"?

While both phrases are similar, "a bad kind" is often used to differentiate between positive and negative instances within a category, while "a bad type" might emphasize the overall undesirable nature of a specific category. They are largely interchangeable, though context might favor one over the other.