bad company

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad company" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who you fear may influence you in a negative way, or you could use it to refer to a group of people who have a bad reputation. For example, "I'm trying to stay away from bad company so I don't get into any trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Food

Business

Books

Film

Lifestyle

Arts

Style

Travel

World

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not bad company.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not bad company.

The Guardian - Sport

BAD COMPANY (2002) C.I.A. agent.

The New York Times

Together, the two make bad company.

The New York Times - Food

Not bad company to keep, huh?

The Guardian - Sport

And the bad company news persisted.

The New York Times

"He didn't mix in bad company.

The Guardian

That's not bad company to keep.

The Washington Post

We are not saying at all it's a bad company.

The Guardian - Business

For now Bad Company 2 is on top.

The New York Times - Arts

I almost regretted it because he wasn't bad company.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When warning someone about the dangers of “bad company”, be specific about the potential negative influences or consequences to make your advice more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using “bad company” as a vague label. Instead, provide concrete examples of behaviors or traits that make the company undesirable to give a clear picture of the negative influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “bad company” functions primarily as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It typically acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'falling into bad company') or as a subject complement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Film

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “bad company” is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes undesirable associations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly used in news, sports, and literature to caution against negative influences. While the phrase is well-understood, providing specific examples of negative behaviors can enhance clarity. When more formality is needed, alternatives such as "negative influence" or "undesirable associates" are suitable substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorable crowd

Similar to "bad company" but uses 'crowd' instead of 'company'.

negative influence

Focuses on the impact rather than the group itself.

harmful associations

Focuses on the negative consequences of the connections.

undesirable associates

Highlights the negative quality of the individuals involved.

toxic relationships

Implies deeply negative and damaging connections.

corrupting environment

Emphasizes the environment's role in negatively affecting someone.

problematic acquaintances

Highlights that the people are acquaintances, and their presence is problematic.

detrimental companionship

Replaces common words with more formal synonyms.

risky peer group

Emphasizes the danger and potential negative outcomes.

nefarious group

Emphasizes the wickedness or evil nature of the group.

FAQs

How can I use "bad company" in a sentence?

You can use "bad company" to describe a group of people who have a negative influence. For example, "He started getting into trouble after falling in with "bad company"".

What's a good alternative to "bad company"?

Alternatives include "negative influence", "undesirable associates", or "unfavorable crowd". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "bad company" in formal writing?

While "bad company" is generally understood, it's more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "detrimental companionship" or "negative influence" to maintain a professional tone.

What are the potential consequences of associating with "bad company"?

The consequences can vary widely, but often include adopting negative behaviors, experiencing legal troubles, or damaging one's reputation. Staying away from "negative influence" is crucial for personal well-being.