a bad record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a negative history or performance in a particular context, such as criminal history, work performance, or personal behavior. Example: "His application was denied due to a bad record of previous offenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not a bad record.

The Economist

That's not such a bad record.

The New York Times

Not a bad record, and certainly not bullshit.

The Economist

But, all in all, not a bad record.

The New York Times

"Belly of the Sun" isn't a bad record.

The New York Times - Arts

"Not a bad record," a tribunal official commented.

The Guardian

That is not a bad record for an emerging team.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a bad record for anything that carries people.

The New York Times - Science

Not a bad record for a 21-year-old.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I've got not a bad record against Neil and I'll be pretty confident.

BBC

It is kind of a bad record — that's so obvious, it's a given.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific quantifiable statistic, provide context; for example, "The company has "a bad record" for safety violations, with three major incidents reported in the last year."

Common error

Avoid using "a bad record" without specifying the area of concern. Be precise; instead of saying, "The organization has "a bad record", indicate the specific issue, such as "a bad record" in environmental compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad record" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As noted by Ludwig AI, it denotes a history or collection of negative events, actions, or performance metrics. This is clear in the examples provided, where it describes various contexts from personal behavior to organizational compliance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bad record" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe a history of negative actions or poor performance. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and acceptability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, be specific about what the "bad record" pertains to, and provide quantifiable context whenever possible. Alternatives like ""a poor track record"" or ""a negative history"" may be used depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor track record

Replaces "bad record" with a more general term for past performance.

a negative history

Uses a more direct and general term to describe the unfavorable background.

an unfavorable history

More formal than "a bad record" but with similar meaning.

a history of failure

Focuses on the aspect of repeated unsuccessful attempts.

a problematic background

Highlights the presence of difficulties or issues in one's past.

a flawed history

Suggests the presence of significant errors or weaknesses in the past.

a checkered past

Implies a history marked by both good and bad events, with an emphasis on the problematic aspects.

a tarnished reputation

Focuses on the damage to one's public image due to past actions.

a compromised background

Suggests that past actions or circumstances have undermined one's integrity or credibility.

a trail of missteps

Emphasizes a series of mistakes or errors in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bad record" to describe a history of negative performance or behavior. For example, "The company has "a bad record" of environmental violations."

What are some alternatives to "a bad record"?

Alternatives include "a poor track record", "a negative history", or "a checkered past" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a bad record"?

It's appropriate when discussing past performance or behavior that is negative or undesirable. For example, if someone has "a criminal record", you could say they have "a bad record".

What's the difference between "a bad record" and "a poor track record"?

"A bad record" often implies more serious or formal issues, such as legal or disciplinary problems. "A poor track record" is generally used for performance or achievement.