bad marks

USAGE SUMMARY

"bad marks" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a student's grades when they are below average. For example, "Jane has been getting bad marks on her tests in math."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

(See "Bad Marks For Marks & Spencer") "One would have thought they would have done a bit better with stores opening after refurbishment," said Matthew McEachran, an analyst with Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander.

Forbes

Maybe he will give you bad marks".

The Guardian

We get bad marks in "democratic fairness" and "encouraging consensus".

The New Yorker

The 9-to-1 vote will ensure that teachers and schools are not penalized for the bad marks.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, she starts to get bad marks at school and loses touch with her best friend.

The Guardian

"My problem today is I have three bad marks on my credit rating, two of which are theirs," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

A condition of the optimal controllability of a bad marking is proposed, i.e., if all bad markings are optimally controlled at each iteration step, the TGALW method can find an optimal LES.

Information Sciences

"And then, as time evolved, as I've acknowledged to you, 'Bad Mark' came into place".

The New York Times

"That's what we want, because they are a bad mark on our society".

The New York Times

{Collective forehead slap} Which is why a "Bad mark in school?" is a ZIST in today's grid, and not a ZIT.

The New York Times

A comments system is only fair, Ryan Alfred says, since good evaluations may balance out one bad mark from a long-ago complaint.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic performance, use "bad marks" to convey a clear and easily understandable message about low grades or scores. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "unsatisfactory grades".

Common error

Avoid using "bad marks" in contexts where a more specific term is needed. For instance, instead of saying a company received "bad marks" for customer service, specify "low customer satisfaction ratings" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad marks" functions as a descriptor, combining an adjective ("bad") with a noun ("marks") to denote unsatisfactory performance or low evaluations. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

29%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad marks" is a commonly used phrase to describe low grades, poor performance, or negative evaluations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, as well as on wikis, indicating a generally neutral to informal register. While widely understood, more formal alternatives like "unsatisfactory grades" or "subpar performance" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and precision when using "bad marks", opting for more specific terms when necessary. The provided FAQs and guidance can assist in effectively incorporating this phrase and its alternatives into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low marks

A slightly less common variation using a synonym for grades.

low grades

Focuses specifically on academic performance and uses a more common term.

poor scores

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of the evaluation, applicable in various contexts beyond academics.

failing grades

Indicates the lowest possible passing grade, suggesting a failure.

unsatisfactory grades

Highlights that the performance did not meet the required standards.

deficient grades

Highlights the inadequacy or insufficiency of the performance.

negative ratings

Broadens the scope beyond academic grades to include general assessments.

unfavorable assessments

A formal and broader term, applicable to various types of evaluations.

subpar performance

Focuses on the overall quality of the performance being evaluated.

poor performance

Similar to "subpar performance" but with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad marks" to describe someone's poor performance or low grades. For example, "He received "low grades" because he didn't study enough".

What is a synonym for "bad marks"?

Synonyms for "bad marks" include "poor scores", "failing grades", and "negative ratings" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bad marks" in formal writing?

While "bad marks" is widely understood, it might be more suitable to use a more formal phrase like "unsatisfactory grades" or "subpar performance" in formal writing.

What is the difference between "bad marks" and "low grades"?

The phrases "bad marks" and "low grades" are quite similar; however, "bad marks" might be used in a broader context, while "low grades" specifically refers to academic performance.