a negative illustration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative illustration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an example that demonstrates a negative aspect or outcome of a concept or idea. Example: "The report provided a negative illustration of the potential consequences of ignoring climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a negative illustration, think back to 2012.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Energy provides a kind of negative illustration of typical forecasting errors.

Forbes

On a sectoral level, for example, forests and agriculture have long been inextricably linked – the most negative illustration of which is the clearing of forests to make way for farms - in the 10 seconds it takes to read this sentence, about 10 acres (four hectares) of forests are cleared, predominantly for agriculture.

The Guardian

As an illustration, the data correspond to a negative REDD credit, i.e. −0.20 US$ per ha and −7444 US$ for the entire area.

Carbon Balance and Management

Includes photographs, negatives, illustrations and articles concerning the paintings.

Cornell University

The recreation of Stan VanDerBeek's Movie-Drome (1963 66), is an illustration of how technology can be a negative force.

The Guardian

For illustration purposes, we explain the methodology through a case study, given by a negative feedback network motif.

BMC Systems Biology

A: Illustration or painting.

HuffPost

Here I will present a different graphical approach, that may provide a more helpful illustration of negative variance explained, using squares instead of circles and taking the signs of the two betas on which the total effect is based into account (Fig.  3).

Behavior Research Methods

Figure 2 (bottom) is a schematic illustration of a mixture estimation with negative constraints for 2D data.

Bioinformatics

"No editor will print a double negative," Mr. Taub declares by way of illustration.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a negative illustration", ensure the example clearly demonstrates the negative consequences or aspects you intend to highlight. Provide sufficient context for the reader to understand the connection.

Common error

Avoid using "a negative illustration" when a more neutral example would suffice. Exaggerating the negativity can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative illustration" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it introducing a specific instance that exemplifies a negative outcome or aspect of something. The Ludwig AI confirms it is suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negative illustration" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce an example highlighting a negative aspect or outcome. While relatively rare, it's suitable for neutral to professional contexts, as indicated by Ludwig. When using it, ensure the example clearly supports the intended message and provides sufficient context for understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad example

This alternative uses a simpler adjective to describe the example, focusing on its negative quality.

a poor illustration

This alternative replaces "negative" with "poor", suggesting the illustration is inadequate or ineffective.

a detrimental example

This alternative emphasizes the harmful or damaging aspect of the example.

a cautionary example

This alternative highlights the role of the example as a warning against a particular course of action.

a telling negative case

This alternative emphasizes that the example is revealing or significant in a negative context.

an adverse instance

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a contrary or unfavorable example.

an unfortunate case in point

Indicates that the example is something regrettable or unlucky that supports a particular argument or point.

a counter-example

Emphasizes the contrasting nature of the example relative to a general rule or principle.

a worst-case scenario

This alternative presents an extreme, undesirable outcome as an illustration.

a downside shown through example

This alternative shifts the focus to the negative aspect itself, rather than the example.

FAQs

How can I use "a negative illustration" in a sentence?

You can use "a negative illustration" to introduce an example that highlights the detrimental effects of something. For example, "The company's failed marketing campaign serves as "a negative illustration" of the risks of ignoring customer feedback."

What's the difference between "a negative illustration" and "a positive illustration"?

"A negative illustration" presents an example showing adverse outcomes or undesirable aspects, while "a positive illustration" showcases beneficial results or favorable qualities.

Is "a negative illustration" the same as "a counterexample"?

While related, they aren't identical. "A negative illustration" broadly highlights a negative aspect through an example. "A counterexample" specifically refutes a general statement or claim.

What can I say instead of "a negative illustration"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a bad example", "a poor illustration", or "a detrimental example".