awful behaviour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awful behaviour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or conduct that are considered very bad or unacceptable. Example: "The teacher addressed the students about their awful behaviour during the field trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Yet again a whistleblower has lifted the lid on some unconscionably awful behaviour," she said.

The Guardian

Or could it be that such awful behaviour has actually become more ­prevalent?

The Guardian - Opinion

Getty Images 5/10 6 - Justin Bieber ($80m) Pop's most famous brat raked in a fortune this year despite his awful behaviour around the world.

Independent

Hearing them speak Russian and watching them in a world so far removed from their current existence gives context and offers an explanation for their (often awful) behaviour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Very quickly I was in these internet relay chat channels, which were raucous and full of awful behaviour, but they also had this new kind of file called an MP3 that I had never heard of before.

The Guardian - Books

Dr Sam and Prof Paul are good at turning what looks like really awful behaviour into something positive, or at least just part of the cognitive process and part of growing up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The great test of a liberal sensibility is whether it can rise to the challenge of finding explanations for the most awful human behaviour.

The Guardian

Or are there rumours of their awful secretive behaviour on Snapchat?

Vice

Given that we're in a north London gastropub with wrought-iron staircases and ceiling beams – the kind of place where adult men who try to one-up each other with microbrewery trivia might meet up to be awful – this behaviour seems particularly odd.

Vice

The massed bodies, awful clothes, stilted behaviour, slightly ashamed body language, the piss, the arrests, the weather, the traffic, the concrete, the white Rastafarians, fat jolly policemen being twerked on by big black women (fuck off and arrest someone), even the Carnival costumes – however admirable an attempt, it's all rather embarrassing.

Vice

And that was the great intellectual trap that meant we did excuse an awful lot of appalling behaviour on the grounds that it was pushing the necessary buttons to move to the new post-capitalist form of society".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific instances of "awful behaviour", provide concrete examples to strengthen your point and avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling behaviour as "awful" without specifying what makes it so. Always provide enough context for the reader to understand the severity and nature of the behaviour you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful behaviour" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "awful" modifies the noun "behaviour". It's used to describe conduct considered exceptionally bad. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awful behaviour" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe conduct considered exceptionally bad. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Analysis of various sources shows it appears most frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for general discussions. While "awful" can be informal, its combination with "behaviour" allows for objectivity. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, and avoiding overuse without context is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible behavior

Replaces "awful" with "terrible", a synonym with similar intensity.

outrageous behaviour

Focuses on the behaviour being highly shocking and unacceptable.

unacceptable behavior

Highlights that the behaviour is not tolerable or permissible.

atrocious behaviour

Uses "atrocious" to describe the behaviour as shockingly brutal or cruel.

appalling conduct

Substitutes both words for synonyms suggesting shocking and unacceptable actions.

deplorable behavior

Indicates the behaviour is deserving of strong condemnation.

egregious conduct

Emphasizes the outrageous and conspicuously bad nature of the conduct.

disgraceful conduct

Suggests the conduct brings shame or dishonor.

offensive actions

Highlights the upsetting and disrespectful nature of the actions.

dreadful actions

Focuses on the actions themselves being extremely unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "awful behaviour" in a sentence?

You can use "awful behaviour" to describe actions or conduct considered very bad or unacceptable. For example: "The teacher addressed the students about their awful behaviour during the field trip".

What are some alternatives to "awful behaviour"?

Alternatives include "terrible behavior", "appalling conduct", or "unacceptable behavior", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "awful behaviour" formal or informal?

"Awful behaviour" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in various contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "egregious conduct" or "deplorable behavior".

What kind of actions are typically described as "awful behaviour"?

"Awful behaviour" can encompass a wide range of negative actions, from rudeness and disrespect to more serious offenses like violence or dishonesty. The specific context determines the severity.