bad line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a poor or problematic line of text, dialogue, or communication, often in the context of writing or conversation. Example: "The dialogue in that scene was weak; it felt like a bad line that didn't resonate with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Not a bad line.

The New Yorker

Bad line changes.

The New York Times - Sports

"Then we had the bad line change.

The New York Times - Sports

Not a bad line on most days.

The New York Times

It's not a bad line.

The New York Times

"There's not a bad line on this car.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Not a bad line-up for a cold January day.

The Guardian

I'm in Lucerne this week for the Lucerne festival (Claudio Abbado! Mahler 1 and 4! The Lucerne Festival Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra! – not a bad line-up for the opening few days of a festival).

The Guardian - Music

Hannah Shaddock (@HannahShaddock) Not a bad line-up in the signing tent at #edbookfest today >> pic.twitter.com/8vthnGoS58 August 13 , 2013Updated at 10.18am BST 9.20am BST Day four Greetings!

The Guardian - Books

When Mr. Nicholson walked to the altar to give the "reflection" at the end of Mass, they were looking to him for something much harder to serve up than the Democrats-are-bad line of the day that he once delivered as party chairman.

The New York Times

Channeling his inner Heisenberg, Cranston took the microphone and shouted his famous "Breaking Bad" line: "Say my name".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific quote or dialogue, ensure the context clearly indicates why it is considered a "bad line", providing specific examples of its flaws.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a line as a "bad line" without explaining what makes it so. Provide concrete reasons such as awkward phrasing, illogical content, or lack of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad line" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to indicate a negative attribute or quality. As shown by Ludwig, it is used across different registers to negatively qualify the word 'line'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad line" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for denoting something of poor quality or flawed in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is primarily used in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia, as an adjective phrase. The negative impact, and can be found in alternative phrasing with terms such as "poor line" or "terrible line". When employing this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasoning for the assessment, and avoid overuse without justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor line

Replaces "bad" with a more neutral synonym, maintaining the negative connotation.

terrible line

Emphasizes the negativity of the line, intensifying the meaning.

awful line

Similar to "terrible line", highlighting the unpleasant quality of the line.

substandard line

Indicates that the line does not meet the required or expected level of quality.

unacceptable line

Suggests that the line is not permissible or tolerable.

faulty line

Implies that there is an error or defect in the line.

incorrect line

Indicates that the line contains factual or grammatical errors.

inadequate line

Suggests the line is insufficient or not good enough for the intended purpose.

weak line

Describes the line as lacking strength or effectiveness.

problematic line

Indicates that the line is causing difficulties or issues.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "bad line"?

You can use alternatives like "poor line", "terrible line", or "weak line", depending on the specific context and the reason for the line being considered "bad".

How can I identify a "bad line" in writing?

A "bad line" is often characterized by awkward phrasing, illogical content, factual errors, lack of clarity, or failure to contribute effectively to the overall message. It might also be a line that is cliché or doesn't resonate with the intended audience.

Is it always subjective to consider a line "bad"?

While there is some subjectivity, certain elements make a line objectively "bad", like grammatical errors, factual inaccuracies, or nonsensical statements. However, its impact and effectiveness can vary based on the audience and context.

How to fix a "bad line"?

To fix a "bad line", identify the specific problem – is it the phrasing, the content, or the tone? Then, rewrite the line to address these issues, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and impact. Consider alternatives like rephrasing, simplifying, or even removing the line altogether if it doesn't serve a purpose.