a rotten mood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rotten mood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being irritable, unhappy, or in a bad emotional state. Example: "After receiving the bad news, she was in a rotten mood for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The Mets and Bobby Valentine were already in a rotten mood, after losing two close games and getting no breaks.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Marlins scored seven runs in the top of the first, and when Reyes led off the bottom of the inning, the crowd was already in a rotten mood.

The New York Times - Sports

In a rotten mood?

Los Angeles Times

Unless you're in a rotten mood, in which case it sometimes seems to scream.

Los Angeles Times

In a rotten mood, in a rotten voice, I sang along and felt myself pulling away from the darkness in my head.

Huffington Post

I was in a rotten mood, hunched over my desk at LA Weekly on a broiling late September afternoon in 2000, one of those oppressive Hollywood days when the temperature climbs past 100 before lunch and your East Coast friends gloat about cool breezes and spectacular fall foliage.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

SOMETIMES when a girl is in the kind of rotten mood that makes her actually give credence to information like "Jupiter went retrograde in Aries; that's why everything's a mess," she needs to bask in the sunny clime of someone else's good taste, and shop in a proven, consistently pleasing aesthetic sanctuary.

The New York Times

A rotten crowd!

The New Yorker

"I had a rotten, rotten session.

The Guardian - Sport

Daddock: rotten wood, a rotten log.

The Guardian - Books

A rotten time, overall?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a temporary emotional state, "a rotten mood" can add color, but be mindful of its informal tone. Reserve it for contexts where a slightly exaggerated or colloquial expression is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a rotten mood" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a bad mood" or "a negative emotional state" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rotten mood" functions as a noun phrase describing a temporary emotional state. As Ludwig AI shows, it is typically used to express a feeling of unhappiness or irritability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rotten mood" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a temporary state of unhappiness or irritability. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in writing. While not strictly formal, it commonly appears in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "a negative mood" or "a state of discontent" may be more suitable. It's important to consider the tone and audience when choosing whether to use "a rotten mood".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a foul mood

Replaces "rotten" with "foul", suggesting a strong and unpleasant feeling.

a bad mood

Uses a more general term, "bad", to indicate a negative emotional state.

a terrible mood

Replaces "rotten" with "terrible", emphasizing the severity of the bad mood.

a miserable mood

Indicates a state of deep unhappiness and discomfort.

a grumpy mood

Suggests irritability and a reluctance to be pleasant.

a sour mood

Implies a resentful or bitter emotional state.

an awful mood

Uses "awful" to express the unpleasantness of the mood.

a disagreeable mood

Suggests a feeling of being unwilling to cooperate or be friendly.

a dark mood

Conveys a sense of gloom and despondency.

a blue mood

Indicates a feeling of sadness or melancholy.

FAQs

What does it mean to be in "a rotten mood"?

Being in "a rotten mood" means feeling irritable, unhappy, or generally in a negative emotional state. It suggests a temporary period of discontent.

What can I say instead of "a rotten mood"?

You can use alternatives like "a foul mood", "a bad mood", or "a terrible mood" depending on the context.

Is "a rotten mood" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "a rotten mood" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "a negative mood" or "a state of discontent".

How can I tell if someone is in "a rotten mood"?

Signs that someone is in "a rotten mood" might include irritability, withdrawal, negativity, or a general lack of enthusiasm.