Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
bad scan
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "bad scan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scan that is of poor quality or not clear enough for proper analysis or interpretation. Example: "The document was difficult to read because it was a bad scan."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
"It's a bad scan of me," he said, inspecting it.
News & Media
We gave you a clue, a small detail of a bad scan of the Oprah's Book Club logo.
News & Media
The problem is if you get a bad scan, the grotesque result is far worse than some standardized avatar.
News & Media
It was a bad scan.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
But bad scans, medical experts say, are part of a growing problem with medical imaging.
News & Media
"All that was faked turned bad," scans like a melody, and in its passivity and slightly odd tense, feels like an elegy.
News & Media
But bad scans of the original also appear on hundreds of Web sites that have not paid to reproduce it or asked permission to post it.
News & Media
Previously, it was quite bad, scanning only static information.
News & Media
"I bought every pin-up book there was," Hanson explained to The Huffington Post, "and there have been many books done on pin-ups and all of them done from poor original sources, from calendars, magazine centerfolds and bad scans".
News & Media
We had a blissful several months after her birth when there were no treatments, no bad scans, and where other than the faint trace of scar, we felt something like normal parents.
News & Media
In both models, in addition to regressors of interest, realignment (movement) regressors, regressors indicating volumes where "bad scans" had been replaced by interpolation of neighboring volumes, and mean time-series extracted from white matter and outside of brain masks were included to reduce task-unrelated variance (noise).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing medical imaging, be specific about what makes the "bad scan" inadequate. For instance, mention whether the image is blurry, contains artifacts, or fails to capture the necessary details.
Common error
Don't assume a "bad scan" is always due to equipment malfunction. Sometimes it reflects the underlying condition being scanned (e.g., a tumor recurrence). Be clear about the cause to avoid misinterpretations.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "bad scan" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "scan". It describes a scan that is of poor quality or yields undesirable results. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Science
20%
Academia
5%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Wiki
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "bad scan" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that describes a scan of poor quality or yielding negative results. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. While contexts vary, it commonly appears in News & Media and Scientific publications. When writing about medical scans, provide specific details to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "poor quality scan" or "unclear scan" depending on the context. Remember that a "bad scan" does not necessarily indicate a technical issue with the scanner itself, and could reflect the scanned material.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
poor quality scan
Replaces "bad" with "poor quality", emphasizing the deficiency in the scan's quality.
low quality scan
Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "low" instead of "poor".
unclear scan
Focuses on the lack of clarity in the scan.
faulty scan
Suggests that the scan has a technical problem or defect.
inadequate scan
Indicates the scan is not sufficient for its intended purpose.
negative scan result
Specifically used in medical contexts to indicate an undesirable outcome.
substandard scan
Highlights that the scan falls below an acceptable standard.
defective scan
Similar to "faulty scan", implying a flaw in the scanning process or equipment.
problematic scan
Indicates that the scan presents difficulties or issues.
failed scan
Implies the scan did not produce the desired outcome or result.
FAQs
What does "bad scan" mean?
A "bad scan" generally refers to a scan of poor quality, a scan with negative results, or a scan that's inadequate for its intended purpose, depending on the context.
What are some alternatives to saying "bad scan"?
You can use alternatives like "poor quality scan", "low quality scan", or "unclear scan", depending on what aspect you want to emphasize.
In medical contexts, what does a "bad scan" indicate?
In medical contexts, a "bad scan" can indicate the presence of a medical issue, such as tumors or abnormalities. Alternatively, it might also mean the image quality is too poor for proper diagnosis.
Is it always the scanner's fault when a scan is "bad"?
Not necessarily. A "bad scan" can be the result of technical issues with the scanning device or human error during the scanning process, but sometimes it may be attributed to the patient's condition or movement during scanning. The interpretation can also depend on the radiologist's expertise.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested