bad influence

USAGE SUMMARY

'bad influence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person, group, or thing that encourages or tempts someone to do something wrong or unwise. For example: My friends were a bad influence on me, convincing me to skip class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(a) "Bad Influence".

The New Yorker

A bad influence, they said.

The New York Times - Magazine

He considered Jessica's mother a bad influence.

The New Yorker

I might be a bad influence".

The Guardian - Books

(Today we parted ways. He's kind of a bad influence).

The Guardian - Opinion

But he stated flatly that Grigorovich was a bad influence.

The New Yorker

· William Sutcliffe's most recent novel is Bad Influence (Hamish Hamilton).

The Guardian - Books

"Happily, Gregory was a bad influence on me," Smith says.

The New Yorker

Her real worry is Tracey's bad influence on her daughter.

The New Yorker

Oh my God, I'm such a bad influence!

The New Yorker

I do believe Mr. Jackson was a bad influence, though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad influence", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended negative effect. Be mindful of the degree of impact and choose stronger alternatives if needed, such as "corrupting force" or "detrimental effect".

Common error

While "bad influence" is widely understood, overuse in academic or professional writing can diminish the impact. Opt for more precise language, such as "negative impact", "detrimental effect", or "harmful effect", to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad influence" functions as a noun phrase typically used to describe someone or something that has a negative effect on another's behavior or choices. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English, highlighting its role in identifying detrimental factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad influence" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something that negatively affects another's behavior or choices. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It is used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic discussions, with a neutral register. While widely understood, it's important to consider context and choose more precise alternatives like "negative impact" or "detrimental effect" in formal writing. Remember that a bad influence is something that has a negative impact on someone else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

damaging influence

Emphasizes the potential damage caused.

unhealthy influence

Implies the influence is detrimental to one's well-being.

negative impact

Focuses on the impact being negative, shifting away from the influence aspect.

detrimental effect

Highlights the damaging consequences of the influence.

harmful effect

Stresses the potential for harm caused by the influence.

corrupting force

Emphasizes a stronger, more insidious effect of corruption.

poor example

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone is setting a bad example.

negative example

Similar to 'undesirable role model', but more general.

undesirable role model

Specifically refers to a person who sets a poor example.

questionable influence

Suggests the influence is of dubious quality or morality.

FAQs

How can "bad influence" be used in a sentence?

"Bad influence" refers to someone or something that encourages negative behavior. For example, "My friends were a bad influence on me, convincing me to skip class."

What are some alternatives to "bad influence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "negative impact", "corrupting force", or "detrimental effect".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a bad influence on" someone?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "bad influence" typically requires the preposition "on" to link the influence to the person or thing being affected, as in "He is a bad influence on his brother".

What is the difference between "bad influence" and "negative impact"?

"Bad influence" usually refers to a person or thing causing someone to behave poorly, while "negative impact" is a more general term for any detrimental effect. The first one is related to a more personal sphere of actions.