as a bad example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a bad example" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that serves as a negative model or illustration of what not to do. Example: "His behavior at the meeting was cited as a bad example for the new employees to avoid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Perhaps as a bad example to her students.

Stanford University

They say you've never sunk so low that you can't serve as a bad example.

The New York Times

I half-expect Michael Gove to honour me as a bad example.

The Guardian

Turkey's priority is evidently to abolish the Syrian Kurd statelet as a bad example of self-determination which might strengthen the Kurds in Turkey.

Independent

"But neither am I going to walk into a jail cell, to serve as a bad example for other people in government who see something happening, some violation of the constitution, and think they need to say something about it".

The Guardian

Tommy Harper also did it in 1973.... Derek Jeter said he was surprised that the Hall of Famer Jim Rice cited him as a bad example for children in a speech at the Little League World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Furthermore, the United States, which last fall saw the Senate reject another crucial accord, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, after the administration had fought for its approval by United Nations members in 1996, is seen as setting a bad example for other countries that can now cite political pressures for refusing to sign.

The New York Times

Cherry is highly critical of Chamberlain: while conceding he was the only Sixers player who performed in the series, he pointed out his unprofessional, egotistical behavior as being a bad example for his teammates.

Wikipedia

Luckily they know it would be a political disaster to smoke in public as it would set a bad example for the kiddies.

HuffPost

"Such people are setting a bad example both in India as well as in Nepal," Kulkarni said.

The Guardian

Of course, putting telephones in their bedrooms would set a bad example; I might as well buy them cigarette lighters ($5.95 from Stogiesonline.com).com

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a bad example", clearly specify what aspect of the subject is undesirable. Provide context to ensure the negative lesson is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting something "as a bad example" without clarifying the specific flaw or undesirable trait. Vague condemnations can confuse your audience and diminish the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a bad example" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It is used to modify a verb or noun, indicating that something is serving in the role of a negative illustration or cautionary tale. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a bad example" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote something serving as a negative model or cautionary tale. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English writing. While not exceedingly common, with most usages found in news and media, its purpose is to highlight negative consequences or undesirable traits, often to warn or dissuade. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what aspects are undesirable, and avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serving as a cautionary tale

Emphasizes the warning aspect of the example.

acting as a negative model

Focuses on the role of the example as something to avoid emulating.

setting a poor precedent

Highlights the potential for future negative consequences based on the example.

being a textbook case of what not to do

Indicates that the example is a clear illustration of incorrect behavior.

used as an object lesson

Suggests the example is deliberately used to teach a lesson, often negative.

providing a negative illustration

Highlights the illustrative and negative nature of the example.

representing an undesirable outcome

Focuses on the negative results associated with the example.

exemplifying poor practice

Directly points to the practice as being substandard.

demonstrating what to avoid

Emphasizes avoidance as the primary takeaway from the example.

furnishing a dismal illustration

Highlights the particularly negative and discouraging nature of the example.

FAQs

How can I use "as a bad example" in a sentence?

Use "as a bad example" to illustrate behaviors or situations to avoid. For instance, "The company's handling of the crisis served as a bad example of public relations management."

What can I say instead of "as a bad example"?

You can use alternatives like "serving as a cautionary tale", "acting as a negative model", or "setting a poor precedent depending on the context".

Is it always negative to use something as an example?

No, examples can be positive or negative. "As a bad example" specifically indicates a negative instance. To indicate a positive instance, you can use "as a good example".

What's the difference between "as a bad example" and "a bad example"?

"As a bad example" indicates that something is being presented or used to demonstrate poor practice. "A bad example" simply describes something that is poor in quality or execution. For example: 'His behavior was cited as a bad example' versus 'His behavior was a bad example of leadership'.