bad influences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad influences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe people or situations that negatively affect someone's behavior or decisions. Example: "She decided to distance herself from her friends, as they were considered bad influences on her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are no bad influences.

The New York Times - Magazine

These people are very bad influences.

The New York Times - Travel

It was puncturing Switzerland's defenses, exposing it to bad influences.

The New Yorker

He had the intelligence to stay with it, and not be distracted by bad influences".

The New York Times - Sports

Mike knew he'd have a hard fight to counteract the bad influences.

The New Yorker

A fruit was placed on the wounds to draw out any bad influences.

The New York Times

I'm eliminating all distractions, and I've eliminated all the bad influences around me.

The New York Times - Sports

I want to him to work here; if he was outside on the streets, he would meet bad influences".

The Guardian

She says she no longer has many friends, having distanced herself from people who were bad influences.

The New York Times

Perhaps it is impossible to buy your children something they actually want if you are trying to avoid bad influences.

The New York Times - Tech

The state issued an admonishment to companies for failing to better police their platforms and for promoting "bad influences".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of "bad influences", be specific about the behaviors or outcomes resulting from them to provide a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid vaguely labeling something as a "bad influence" without explaining why it's considered harmful. Provide specific examples of how it negatively affects individuals or situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad influences" functions as a noun phrase, where "bad" modifies the noun "influences". It describes factors that exert a negative or harmful effect on someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad influences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe negative external pressures, factors, or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appears across diverse contexts, notably in news, media, and general discussions. When employing this phrase, precision and specificity are crucial, detailing the precise nature of the adverse effects. While interchangeable with alternatives like "negative influences" or "detrimental forces", focusing on specific behaviors associated with "bad influences" enhances clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful peer pressure

Highlights the effects of negative influence from people in one's group.

undesirable associates

Specifies people who are harmful to be around.

toxic relationships

Focuses on connections to others that are detrimental to well-being.

negative impact

Focuses on the detrimental effect rather than the source.

poor role models

Refers to people who set a bad example.

detrimental forces

Highlights the damaging power of external factors.

destructive company

Highlights the damaging impact of being around certain individuals.

corrupting elements

Emphasizes the degradation caused by external factors.

negative external factors

More general and includes situations as well as people.

unhealthy environment

Shifts the focus to the surrounding conditions.

FAQs

What's another way to say "bad influences"?

You can use alternatives like "negative influences", "detrimental forces", or "harmful peer pressure" depending on the specific context.

How can I identify "bad influences" in my life?

Look for people or situations that consistently lead you to make choices that compromise your values, harm your well-being, or hinder your goals. Reflect on whether these relationships or environments are truly beneficial.

What's the difference between "bad influences" and "negative impact"?

"Bad influences" usually refers to the source or agent causing the negative effect, such as people or environments. "Negative impact" describes the actual detrimental effect or outcome that results.

How to use "bad influences" in a sentence?

You can use "bad influences" to describe people or situations that have a negative effect on someone's behavior or decisions, such as: "She distanced herself from her friends because they were "bad influences"."