bad outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad outcome" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative result or consequence of a certain action or situation. Here are a few examples: 1. "The company's poor decision-making ultimately led to a bad outcome for their financial stability." 2. "Despite their best efforts, the team was unable to prevent a bad outcome in the game." 3. "I'm afraid that taking that course of action could lead to a bad outcome for our relationship." 4. "In the end, the bad outcome of the experiment proved that our hypothesis was incorrect." 5. "The lawyer warned his client that a bad outcome was possible if they chose to go to trial instead of settling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no bad outcome.

Harvard Business Review

This is a bad outcome.

Yale University

There's no bad outcome here.

The Guardian - Sport

That seems the least bad outcome.

The Economist

Approval would be a less bad outcome.

The Economist

That might not be a bad outcome.

The Economist

Could there be a bad outcome?

The Guardian - Travel

This would indeed be a bad outcome.

The New York Times

But it was a bad outcome for the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't want another bad outcome on my conscience.

The New York Times - Health

There is the risk of a very bad outcome.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, clearly articulate the specific "bad outcome" you aim to avoid. This provides clarity and focus for preventative measures.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overuse of the phrase "bad outcome". Opt for more specific and descriptive terms like "financial loss", "project failure", or "legal complications" to provide a clearer understanding of the negative result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad outcome" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "outcome". It describes a result or consequence that is undesirable or unfavorable. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad outcome" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an undesirable result or consequence. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic discussions. While alternatives like "negative consequence" or "unfavorable result" exist, "bad outcome" provides a straightforward way to communicate a negative result. However, for more formal or technical writing, consider using more specific terms to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative consequence

Replaces "outcome" with "consequence", emphasizing the result's unfavorable nature.

unfavorable result

Substitutes "bad" with "unfavorable" and "outcome" with "result", maintaining the negative connotation.

poor result

Uses "poor" instead of "bad" to describe the outcome, suggesting a substandard or inadequate result.

adverse effect

Emphasizes the negative impact or influence of the outcome.

detrimental effect

Highlights the harmful or damaging aspect of the result.

undesirable consequence

Focuses on the unwanted nature of the result.

negative development

Indicates a downward turn or worsening situation.

unhappy ending

Suggests a conclusion that is not satisfactory or pleasing.

disappointing result

Conveys a sense of unmet expectations.

unfortunate turn of events

Emphasizes the accidental or chance nature of the negative outcome.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "bad outcome"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "negative consequence", "unfavorable result", or "poor result" to express a similar meaning.

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

You can use "bad outcome" to describe a negative result or consequence, such as, "The company's negligence led to a "bad outcome" for its investors."

Is there a more formal way to say "bad outcome" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using more precise terms like "adverse effect" or "detrimental effect", depending on the context, to convey a similar meaning with greater specificity.

What's the difference between "bad outcome" and "negative outcome"?

While "bad outcome" and "negative outcome" are often used interchangeably, "bad outcome" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of failure or severity compared to "negative outcome".