a very bad practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very bad practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that is considered harmful or ineffective in a particular context. Example: "Using outdated software without proper security measures is a very bad practice in today's digital environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

White said it would be a "very bad practice" to reveal the identities of the sources in the investigation.

The New York Times - Sports

Cutting services while spending scarce dollars on employee conveniences is a very bad practice.

Los Angeles Times

I think that is a very bad practice.

BioMed Research International

That is a very bad practice which I never took notice of.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I worked alongside care agencies and witnessed some good and some very bad practice.

The Guardian

"This is very bad practice because if psychiatrists are practising within these guidelines then that will be the stipulation, that the woman in question must state that.

The Guardian

"What we've seen so far are just individual examples of very bad practice and frankly quite bad behaviour – spending decisions taken in the last year or so... that no rational government would have done," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

The Guardian

Some businesses let customers walk out when they are faint or feeling ill,which is seen as very bad practice.

WikiHow

Unfortunately, these non-bank institutions tended to have a very bad lending practice.

Columbia University

The council won't do that, he said, "We would immediately be penalized by the rating agencies, because it's a very bad financial practice".

The New York Times

But it is simply a very bad teaching practice to anyone with actual classroom experience.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a specific action, follow "a very bad practice" with a clear explanation of why it is detrimental. For example, "Ignoring security updates is "a very bad practice" because it exposes your system to vulnerabilities."

Common error

While acceptable, "a very bad practice" can sound less formal than alternatives. In highly formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a seriously flawed method" or "a highly undesirable approach" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very bad practice" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very bad practice" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying disapproval or concern about an action or method. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing, indicating its versatility. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "a seriously flawed method". Remember to clearly explain why the practice is detrimental when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a highly undesirable approach

Focuses on the undesirability of the approach.

a seriously flawed method

Emphasizes the flaws within the method.

a greatly detrimental habit

Highlights the detrimental nature and habitual aspect.

an extremely inadvisable tactic

Focuses on the unwisdom of the tactic.

a particularly harmful procedure

Emphasizes the harm caused by the procedure.

a significantly counterproductive strategy

Highlights the counterproductive aspect of the strategy.

a deeply misguided technique

Focuses on the flawed thinking behind the technique.

a thoroughly unprofessional conduct

Emphasizes the lack of professionalism.

a completely unacceptable behavior

Highlights the unacceptability of the behavior.

a remarkably irresponsible action

Emphasizes the lack of responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a very bad practice" in a sentence?

You can use "a very bad practice" to describe an action or behavior considered harmful or ineffective. For example, "Cutting corners on safety is "a very bad practice" in construction."

What are some alternatives to saying "a very bad practice"?

Alternatives include "a poor practice", "an undesirable practice", or "a flawed method", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a very bad practice"?

Yes, "a very bad practice" is grammatically correct. The structure "a + adjective + adjective + noun" is standard English.

What's the difference between "a bad practice" and "a very bad practice"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the negativity. "A very bad practice" emphasizes that the action is significantly more harmful or ineffective than simply "a bad practice".