bad ghosts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad ghosts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing supernatural themes, horror stories, or metaphorically to describe negative memories or experiences. Example: "The old house was rumored to be haunted by bad ghosts that frightened anyone who dared to enter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bad ghosts".

The New Yorker

Prosecutors postponed his case because of ill-health, but he could stand trial if he recovers.As more of these cases appear in southern courts, the South likes to think of itself as proudly facing the bad ghosts of its past with new-found vigour.

The Economist

She says, "I have some here that are protecting me, some women here that are protecting me, but the majority are bad, dark forces, inhuman". While investigating, the news crew caught a strange shadowy hand moving across the screen, and one of those bad ghosts scratched the cameraman.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The name Bad Ghost also refers to Stacy's memory of this early work experience.

The New York Times - Books

That puts "Bad Ghost" at the high end of this book's spectrum.

The New York Times - Books

Bad Ghost was the name of the character Helena wanted Stacey to play.

The New York Times - Books

Consider the intriguing example of "Bad Ghost," a story that might have been written by Stephen King — if Stephen King were interested in teenage babysitters with show business aspirations.

The New York Times - Books

Dave and I wanted to make a bad ghost effect a la the 1920s.

Vice

Good and bad, the ghost of "Mr.

HuffPost

It means they are bad at ghosting.

Vice

What's his name?" It was as though a listening, bad-intentioned ghost was now present at every gathering.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "bad ghosts" to personify negative memories or past traumas that continue to haunt a character or situation.

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, consider more precise terms like "negative influences" or "detrimental legacies" to avoid a tone that's overly informal or sensational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad ghosts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "ghosts". Ludwig examples show it used both literally, referring to malevolent spirits, and metaphorically, representing negative influences or memories.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Books

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad ghosts" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe malevolent spirits or, metaphorically, negative lingering influences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in English writing. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more precise or formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Consider alternatives like "evil spirits" or "negative influences" when a more formal tone is needed. The phrase finds its strength in creative writing, where it can vividly portray haunting memories or traumas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malevolent spirits

Replaces "ghosts" with a more formal synonym and "bad" with an adjective of similar intensity.

evil apparitions

Substitutes both "bad" and "ghosts" with stronger, more dramatic terms.

dark spirits

Focuses on the negative or sinister aspect of ghosts.

unfriendly phantoms

Uses a more colloquial synonym for "ghosts" and replaces "bad" with a more nuanced adjective.

harmful specters

Emphasizes the potential for harm associated with these ghosts.

negative entities

Shifts from specifically ghosts to a broader category of negative supernatural beings.

wicked spirits

Uses "wicked" to describe the malevolent nature of the ghosts.

troublesome spooks

A more playful and less serious take on the concept.

angry ghosts

Highlights the potential anger or resentment of ghosts.

ill-intentioned spirits

Highlights the spirits having bad intentions.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad ghosts" to describe literal malevolent spirits or, metaphorically, to represent lingering negative influences or memories. For example: "The old house was said to be haunted by "bad ghosts"." or "He was still haunted by the "bad ghosts" of his past failures."

What are some alternatives to "bad ghosts"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "evil spirits", "malevolent entities", or "negative influences".

Is it grammatically correct to say "bad ghosts"?

Yes, "bad ghosts" is grammatically correct. "Bad" is an adjective modifying the noun "ghosts". Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English.

Can "bad ghosts" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "bad ghosts" can be used metaphorically to describe negative memories, past traumas, or lingering influences that haunt or negatively impact a person or situation. It adds a vivid, supernatural element to the description.