bad decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as "He made a bad decision and now he has to face the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bad decision.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a bad decision".

The New York Times

It was a bad decision.

The New Yorker

"It's bad decision making.

The New York Times - Sports

Either way, they made a bad decision.

The New York Times

It was a bad decision, he conceded.

The New York Times - Sports

Johnson said, "It was a bad decision".

The New York Times - Sports

What bad decision would you turn around?

The New York Times

But this was a bad decision.

The New York Times

It was a really bad decision".

The New York Times - Magazine

He made a really dumb, bad decision.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad decision", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the decision and what the negative consequences are. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Don't simply state that a "bad decision" was made without explaining why it was bad. Provide context and specifics to support your claim and make your argument more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad decision" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "decision". It serves to describe a choice or judgment that is considered unfavorable or incorrect. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, highlighting its descriptive nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad decision" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a choice that has led to negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable in diverse contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Sports reporting. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context and specifics to enhance clarity and impact. While alternatives like "poor choice" or "unwise move" exist, "bad decision" remains a versatile and readily understood expression. It is a neutral expression that can be used to criticize, express regret, or simply describe past choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor choice

Replaces "decision" with "choice" emphasizing the selection aspect.

unwise move

Substitutes "decision" with "move" highlighting the action taken.

ill-advised action

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "decision" with "action" and "bad" with "ill-advised".

unfortunate judgment

Replaces "decision" with "judgment", focusing on the cognitive process.

misguided step

Emphasizes the error in direction or approach.

foolish act

Highlights the lack of wisdom in the action taken.

regrettable mistake

Focuses on the negative consequences and remorse associated with the decision.

critical error

Emphasizes the significance and potential damage caused by the decision.

costly blunder

Highlights the negative repercussions of the error, emphasizing the price paid.

shortsighted approach

Focuses on the lack of long-term vision in the decision-making process.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad decision" to describe a choice that led to negative consequences. For example: "Choosing to ignore the warning signs was a "bad decision" that cost him dearly."

What are some alternatives to saying "bad decision"?

Alternatives include "poor choice", "unwise move", or "ill-advised action" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "very bad decision"?

While "very bad decision" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can sometimes be seen as slightly redundant. Consider using stronger synonyms like "terrible decision" or "awful decision" for greater impact.

What's the difference between "bad decision" and "mistake"?

A "bad decision" implies a conscious choice that turned out poorly, while a "mistake" can be an unintentional error. You might say "He made a "bad decision" to invest in that company", but "It was a "mistake" to leave the door unlocked".