a negative story

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative story" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a narrative or account that conveys unfavorable or pessimistic themes or outcomes. Example: "The article focused on a negative story about the impact of climate change on local communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't all a negative story.

Independent

"Everyone has an opinion and loves a negative story.

The Guardian - Sport

But the impact of seeing a negative story featuring a Mexican immigrant was double the size of a negative story about the Russian Immigrant.

The Washington Post

"Haaretz published a negative story about an American-Israeli paper mill.

The New Yorker

("I did what?" he said to his agent, when told there was a negative story brewing).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She can't seem to mention a negative story about Merman without donning her apologist's hat.

The New York Times - Books

Whites who read a negative story featuring an Hispanic immigrant had a strong political reaction.

The Washington Post

The paper can run a negative story, and it's not going to diminish his power.

The New York Times

Continuing with his broadcast, O'Reilly declared that the incident was "embarrassing" and then chronicled a negative story about Clinton.

The Washington Post

"And they only wanted to buy something where there was not a negative story attached, like a divorce or something".

The New York Times

"Every day that you can fill that news cycle with a positive story -- or at least not a negative story -- is a good day".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid being overly repetitive, consider using synonyms like "an unfavorable report", "a pessimistic narrative", or "a discouraging tale" depending on the specific context.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the negativity in "a negative story" to create sensationalism. Present the facts objectively, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions without biased language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative story" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes an account or narrative with unfavorable or pessimistic content. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct phrase commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negative story" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an account focusing on unfavorable or pessimistic events. Ludwig AI's analysis of various sources highlights that the phrase is most frequently used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to avoid sensationalism and maintain objectivity when using it. Consider alternatives such as "an unfavorable report" or "a pessimistic narrative" for different contexts. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "a negative story" to convey important information while maintaining clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad account

This alternative replaces "negative" with "bad" and "story" with "account", maintaining a similar meaning while using different terms.

an unfavorable report

This option substitutes "negative" with "unfavorable" and "story" with "report", indicating a more formal or official context.

a pessimistic narrative

Here, "negative" is replaced by "pessimistic" and "story" by "narrative", emphasizing the bleak outlook of the account.

a discouraging tale

This alternative uses "discouraging" instead of "negative" and "tale" in place of "story", suggesting a narrative that causes loss of confidence.

a distressing account

Replaces "negative" with "distressing", highlighting the upsetting or troubling nature of the story.

an unwelcome history

Substitutes "negative" with "unwelcome" and "story" with "history", which suggests an undesirable past event being recounted.

a troubling narrative

This option replaces "negative" with "troubling", emphasizing the concerning or worrisome nature of the story.

a grim report

By replacing "negative" with "grim" and "story" with "report", the phrase conveys a sense of seriousness and bleakness.

a damning portrayal

Replaces "negative" with "damning" and "story" with "portrayal", implying a strongly critical or condemnatory account.

a regrettable incident recount

This alternative uses more descriptive language, replacing "negative" with "regrettable" and framing the "story" as a recount of an incident.

FAQs

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

You can use "a negative story" to describe an account that focuses on unfavorable events, for example: "The media often focuses on "a negative story" about the economy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a negative story"?

You can use alternatives like "an unfavorable report", "a pessimistic narrative", or "a discouraging tale" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a negative story" in formal writing?

Yes, "a negative story" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalism and reports. However, consider more formal synonyms like "an unfavorable report" for added professionalism.

What makes a story qualify as "a negative story"?

A story qualifies as ""a negative story"" if it primarily focuses on unfavorable events, bad outcomes, or pessimistic viewpoints. It typically presents problems, failures, or discouraging situations.