bad discovery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad discovery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unpleasant or unfortunate finding or realization, often in a scientific or investigative context. Example: "The researchers were disheartened by the bad discovery that their initial hypothesis was incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Don't let bad discovery call experiences (with coaches who've tried to strong-arm you into buying something you don't want or are not ready for) keep you from working with coaches that are genuine and do great work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Add hundreds of in-flight movie choices, and longhaul travel isn't so bad for this Discovery Channel executive.

The Economist

This thinking is evident in the repeated assertion that the UK is good at scientific discovery but bad at translating those discoveries into innovations.

The Guardian

Unlike, of course Philip and Elisabeth forever one bad wig away from discovery and disaster.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The report said, "The agency's molasses-like research and inept testing strategy seems calculated to delay the discovery of bad news until Mayor Giuliani's term has expired".

The New York Times

That unbearable discovery was bad enough, but it was made worse by the cruelty of Ireland's restrictive abortion laws.

Vice

The "MythBusters"/"Breaking Bad" crossover airs Mon., Aug. 12 at 10 p.m. ET on Discovery; "Breaking Bad" returns Sun., Aug. 11 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

Huffington Post

Venting is something that should remain private always and the reason is not just because your boss will find out about it or even that your future employer might find out about it – such a discovery is bad enough – but the real reason is to do with how your character is perceived.

WikiHow

Not bad for someone whose discoveries were initially dismissed as "girl talk".

The New York Times - Books

You could pick these two Discovery-era bad boys up for £490 and have an extra £70 left to enjoy.

Vice

In July, 2004, the Infectious Diseases Society of America released a white paper, "Bad Bugs, No Drugs: As Antibiotic Discovery Stagnates.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad discovery", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the discovery negative or undesirable. Be specific about the implications or consequences of the finding.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of a "bad discovery". Accurately represent the extent of the negative consequences to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad discovery" functions as a noun phrase where "bad" is an adjective modifying the noun "discovery". It denotes a finding or realization that is negative, undesirable, or has adverse consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad discovery" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a negative or undesirable finding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, with "bad" modifying "discovery" to indicate its adverse nature. Its primary purpose is to convey information about a negative outcome, often eliciting concern or disappointment. While suitable for various registers, it is most frequently encountered in news media and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "unfortunate finding" or "negative revelation" can be used to add nuance or formality. When using "bad discovery", ensure the context clearly specifies the negative implications, while avoiding exaggeration to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate finding

Replaces "discovery" with "finding" to emphasize the act of finding something undesirable.

negative revelation

Substitutes "discovery" with "revelation", highlighting the unveiling of something negative.

disappointing revelation

Adds the adjective "disappointing" to emphasize the feeling associated with the revelation.

unpleasant surprise

Replaces the formal "discovery" with the more colloquial "surprise", highlighting the unexpected and unwelcome nature of the finding.

grim realization

Uses "realization" to indicate a dawning awareness of something negative, with "grim" emphasizing the severity.

bitter truth

Emphasizes the painful or regrettable nature of the discovery.

harmful disclosure

Focuses on the potential harm resulting from the discovery being made public.

troubling insight

Highlights the unsettling nature of the discovery and its implications.

detrimental finding

Highlights the damaging or adverse effects associated with the discovery.

ill-fated discovery

Uses "ill-fated" to suggest that the discovery was doomed to have negative consequences from the start.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad discovery" to describe an unfortunate or undesirable finding. For instance, "The investigation led to the "bad discovery" that the company had been falsifying its financial records."

What phrases are similar to "bad discovery"?

Similar phrases include "unfortunate finding", "negative revelation", or "disappointing revelation", all conveying a negative outcome or realization.

Is there a more formal alternative to "bad discovery"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you could use "detrimental finding" or "harmful disclosure" to emphasize the negative impact of the discovery.

When is it appropriate to use "bad discovery" versus "unexpected discovery"?

"Bad discovery" emphasizes the negative consequences or nature of the finding, while "unexpected discovery" simply highlights that the finding was unanticipated. Use "bad discovery" when you want to focus on the adverse effects, not just the surprise element.