bad patches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad patches" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to difficult or problematic periods in various contexts, such as personal experiences or situations. For example: "After going through some bad patches, she finally found stability in her life." Alternative expressions include "rough times" and "tough periods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I've had a few bad patches.

The Guardian

Klose has recovered very well, even after bad patches.

The Guardian - Sport

In the marathon you go through good patches and bad patches and when I was going through bad patches, they got away from me". — L.Z.

The New York Times

But the key to survival in Grand Slam tennis is to play through the bad patches and fight to advance.

The New York Times

Enjoy it.Through my career, when I've had bad patches through injury or poor performance or over-training, the enjoyment goes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have had bad patches and poor matches, but I would argue that there have been mitigating circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Cricket, too, has hit a bad patch.

The Economist

"They are going through a bad patch.

The Guardian

The following year the bad patch reached its worst point.

Independent

The SPD, in particular, is going through a bad patch.

The Economist

The BJP is going through more than a bad patch.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bad patches" when referring to temporary periods of difficulty or decline in a specific area, such as performance, relationships, or health. This implies that the situation is expected to improve.

Common error

Avoid using "bad patches" to describe severe, long-lasting crises. This phrase is best suited for temporary setbacks rather than fundamental, systemic issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad patches" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing temporary periods of difficulty or decline, offering a way to characterize phases in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Lifestyle

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad patches" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe temporary periods of difficulty or decline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations that are expected to improve, rather than long-term crises. Consider alternatives like "difficult periods" or "tough times" for general use, and more formal phrases such as "periods of adversity" in academic or business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult periods

Replaces "patches" with "periods", offering a more general term for stretches of hardship.

tough times

Uses more informal language to describe challenging experiences.

rough spells

Substitutes "patches" with "spells", emphasizing a limited duration of difficulty.

hard knocks

Emphasizes the negative impact and potential for learning from the experiences.

trying circumstances

Highlights the challenging nature of the situations encountered.

testing times

Focuses on the aspect of being challenged and put to the test.

periods of adversity

A more formal and emphatic way of referring to negative circumstances.

challenging phases

Highlights the transitional nature of a difficult period.

setbacks

Focuses on events that delay or reverse progress.

downswings

Emphasizes a decline or downturn in a situation or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad patches" to describe difficult periods in various contexts. For example: "Every relationship goes through "bad patches"", or "Even successful athletes experience "bad patches" in their careers".

What are some alternatives to "bad patches"?

Some alternatives to "bad patches" include "difficult periods", "tough times", or "rough spells". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

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

While "bad patches" is understandable, more formal alternatives like "periods of adversity" or "challenging phases" might be more suitable for academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "bad patches" and "setbacks"?

"Bad patches" refers to a period of general difficulty, while "setbacks" specifically indicates events that hinder progress. You might experience setbacks during a bad patch.