bad outcomes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad outcomes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe negative results or consequences of a particular action or situation. Example: "The experiment led to several bad outcomes that were not anticipated by the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bad feelings bad outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

But bad outcomes could easily result.

The Economist

"It's bad outcomes reinforcing each other".

The New York Times

We're not seeing any bad outcomes.

The New York Times - Science

Why not compensate victims of bad outcomes regardless of fault?

The New York Times

What you can do is stop bad outcomes.

The New York Times

Difficult circumstances in early life lead to bad outcomes, and not just in health.

The Guardian

Volatile markets can yield good and bad outcomes for poor people.

The Guardian

Despite a number of notoriously bad outcomes, they have very often made democracy possible.

The Guardian

But without meticulous planning and lasting commitment, it could lead to some very bad outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has made a few interests wealthy while yielding extremely poor value, and bad outcomes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks or preventative measures, use "bad outcomes" to clearly articulate the negative results that could occur if precautions aren't taken. This provides clarity and emphasizes the importance of risk mitigation.

Common error

While "bad outcomes" is widely understood, consider using more nuanced language in informal settings. Alternatives like "unpleasant results" or "unfortunate events" can sound more natural in casual conversation and prevent your language from sounding overly formal or alarmist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad outcomes" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object or subject in a sentence. Ludwig AI provides examples where it describes the results or consequences of actions or situations. The adjective "bad" modifies the noun "outcomes", indicating a negative or undesirable result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad outcomes" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe negative results or consequences across various domains. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase to identify unfavorable developments, often in cause-and-effect discussions. While the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for professional and news contexts, remember to assess your context and adjust accordingly for informal conversations. To broaden your vocabulary, consider alternatives like "negative consequences" or "poor results". By understanding the function, purpose, and register, you can confidently use "bad outcomes" to convey negative results effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative consequences

This alternative replaces "outcomes" with "consequences" while maintaining the negative connotation.

poor results

This alternative uses "poor" as a synonym for "bad" and "results" instead of "outcomes".

unfavorable results

This option uses a more formal tone with the word "unfavorable" instead of bad.

adverse effects

This is common in scientific and medical contexts, emphasizing the harmful nature of the outcomes.

detrimental effects

This phrase highlights the damaging nature of the outcomes.

unfortunate consequences

This alternative emphasizes the regrettable nature of the outcomes.

undesirable outcomes

Using "undesirable" offers a slightly softer way to describe negative results.

negative repercussions

Repercussions often imply consequences that are indirect or have a wider impact.

dire consequences

This intensifies the negativity, suggesting extremely serious results.

disastrous results

Similar to "dire consequences", this suggests outcomes that are catastrophic.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad outcomes" to describe negative results or consequences of a particular action or situation. For instance, "The experiment led to several "bad outcomes" that were not anticipated by the researchers".

What are some alternatives to "bad outcomes"?

You can use alternatives like "negative consequences", "poor results", or "unfavorable results" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "negative outcomes" or "bad outcomes"?

Both "negative outcomes" and "bad outcomes" are acceptable, but "negative outcomes" might be perceived as slightly more formal or neutral, while "bad outcomes" is more direct.

In what contexts is "bad outcomes" most appropriate?

"Bad outcomes" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, including news reports, scientific studies, and general discussions where you need to clearly and directly describe negative results. It is important to consider the audience and purpose to select the right word with respect to the context.