bad deeds

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad deeds" is a perfectly correct expression to use in written English.
It is used to refer to morally wrong or criminal actions. For example: "Those caught committing bad deeds will be punished severely".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mantel doesn't hide Cromwell's bad deeds, or not always.

The New Yorker

(Admittedly, most bad deeds don't go unpunished on Breaking Bad, either. It's a punitive show).

The New York Times

Even among men who have done bad deeds, kindness, camaraderie and humour can prevail.

Independent

But in this novel, as in life, bad deeds often go unpunished.

The New York Times - Books

Milton Bradley taught us that good deeds yield rewards and bad deeds have consequences.

The New Yorker

This is because we naturally seek to maintain a moral balance between good and bad deeds.

The Guardian

People accused of bad deeds should be tried in court — not in sham proceedings.

The New York Times

"As a politician, Mao's good deeds and bad deeds were both determined by China's history and culture.

The New Yorker

This recovery may anger the average investor who equates hedge funds with the bad deeds of Wall Street.

The New York Times

Her partner in crime, Argante, is done by Denis Sedov, whose hurtling enthusiasm gives bad deeds a winning flavor.

The New York Times

Each offers a reminder that bad deeds and mistakes in judgment can have lasting and often devastating consequences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about morality or consequences, use "bad deeds" to clearly convey actions that have negative ethical or legal implications. Be mindful of the context, as stronger terms like "atrocities" or "evil acts" might be more appropriate for severe situations.

Common error

While "bad deeds" is widely understood, reserve it for formal or neutral writing. In casual conversation, consider more colloquial alternatives like "messing up" or "doing wrong" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad deeds" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to refer to actions that are morally wrong or illegal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad deeds" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe morally wrong or illegal actions. As Ludwig AI states, it is widely understood and used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific discussions, and general knowledge resources. While it carries a neutral to slightly formal tone, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more descriptive or powerful alternatives like "wrongful conduct" or "wicked actions" when appropriate. Using "bad deeds" effectively involves being mindful of the audience and the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misdeeds

A more concise and formal synonym for "bad deeds".

wicked actions

Replaces "deeds" with "actions" and "bad" with "wicked", implying a higher degree of maliciousness.

unethical acts

Focuses specifically on actions that violate moral principles rather than legal ones.

immoral behavior

Shifts the focus to the overall conduct, suggesting a pattern of morally wrong actions.

wrongful conduct

Emphasizes the unjust or unfair nature of the actions.

evil acts

Highlights the malevolent intent behind the actions, suggesting a greater degree of wickedness.

criminal activities

Specifies that the actions are illegal and punishable by law.

sinful acts

Implies that the actions violate religious or divine laws.

transgressions

A formal term referring to violations of laws or moral codes.

atrocities

Refers to particularly cruel or shocking acts.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad deeds" to describe morally wrong or illegal actions, such as, "The consequences of their "bad deeds" were severe" or "He sought redemption for his past "bad deeds"".

What are some synonyms for "bad deeds"?

Some synonyms for "bad deeds" include "misdeeds", "wrongful conduct", "unethical acts", or "evil acts" depending on the context.

Is "bad deeds" a formal or informal expression?

"Bad deeds" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic writing, or serious discussions. More informal contexts might call for simpler terms like "mistakes" or "wrongdoings".

What's the difference between "bad deeds" and "mistakes"?

While both involve negative actions, "bad deeds" implies a moral failing or intentional wrongdoing, while "mistakes" suggests unintentional errors or accidents. The term "bad deeds" carries a stronger connotation of culpability.