are doing bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are doing bad" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts, but the correct form would be "are doing badly." Example: "The students are doing bad in their exams, which is concerning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"But people are doing bad".

The New York Times

"Black people are doing bad things," McGruder-as-Granddad muttered.

The New Yorker

They assume that because it is open after dark, we are doing bad things".

The New York Times

I think the President has got advisers around him that are doing bad.

The New Yorker

"When you are doing bad, when you are down and out, there's very few people that will help you".

The New York Times

"Other people are doing bad things, and they may try to use you as cover for bad things," Lindauer said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"I was doing bad," he said.

The New York Times

'It is doing bad things.

The Guardian

"I'm doing bad; I'm hurting," O'Neal said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They had been doing bad things for a long time".

The Guardian

People were doing bad things to each other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "are doing bad" with grammatically correct alternatives like "are doing badly", "are performing poorly", or "are not doing well".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "bad" when the adverb "badly" is required. "Bad" describes a noun, while "badly" describes a verb. Use "badly" to modify "doing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are doing bad" functions as a predicate within a sentence, attempting to describe the state or performance of a subject. However, it uses an adjective ("bad") where an adverb ("badly") is grammatically required to modify the verb "doing". Ludwig identifies the grammatical inaccuracy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are doing bad" is commonly used but grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "are doing badly," using the adverb to modify the verb. While "are doing bad" appears in various sources, including news media, its use is generally discouraged in formal writing. For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider alternatives such as "are performing poorly" or "are not doing well". Remember that while informal speech may accommodate "are doing bad", professional and academic contexts require more precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are performing poorly

Replaces "doing bad" with a more formal and grammatically correct expression indicating substandard performance.

are not doing well

Substitutes "doing bad" with a common and generally accepted phrase indicating a lack of success or progress.

are behaving badly

Focuses specifically on conduct and replaces "doing bad" with a phrase indicating inappropriate behavior.

are acting inappropriately

Similar to behaving badly, this option is specific to conduct and substitutes "doing bad" with a phrase indicating inappropriate behavior.

are making mistakes

Shifts the focus to errors and replaces "doing bad" with a more neutral phrase indicating the commission of errors.

are causing trouble

Emphasizes the negative consequences of actions and replaces "doing bad" with a phrase indicating the instigation of problems.

are engaging in wrongdoing

Replaces "doing bad" with a more formal and serious expression indicating involvement in unethical or illegal activities.

are committing offenses

Similar to engaging in wrongdoing, this option is specific to unethical or illegal behavior and substitutes "doing bad" with a phrase indicating this behavior.

are sinning

Introduces a religious or moral dimension and replaces "doing bad" with a phrase indicating transgression against divine law or moral principles.

are up to no good

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest mischievous or harmful activity instead of saying they "are doing bad".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are doing bad" in a more formal way?

You can use phrases such as "are performing poorly", "are not doing well", or "are doing badly" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "are doing bad" and "are doing badly"?

"Are doing bad" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "are doing badly," where "badly" is an adverb modifying the verb "doing."

Is "are doing bad" ever appropriate to use?

While "are doing bad" might be used in very informal speech, it is generally considered incorrect in standard written English. It's best to use more formal alternatives in most contexts.

What are some situations where I might hear someone say "are doing bad"?

You might hear it in casual conversation or informal settings, especially in certain dialects or regions. However, it is not recommended for formal writing or professional communication.