bad sense

USAGE SUMMARY

'bad sense' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means having a lack of judgement or discernment. Example sentence: His reckless behaviour showed bad sense and put himself and others in danger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I have a bad sense of humor.

The Guardian

We've become weightless, in the bad sense of the word".

The New York Times - Books

It is political bad sense, since nobody is going to be sheltered from this deluge.

The Economist

I regarded him as big baby – in both the good and bad sense.

The Guardian

But mainly I like it because I've got a very bad sense of direction.

The Guardian - Travel

It made good economic sense for players but bad sense for baseball".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Guardian can be a very serious place – in both good and bad senses.

The Guardian

However, he felt a degree of ambivalence about a composer he described as "theatrical... in both the good and bad senses of the word".

Wikipedia

Not miserable in a things-are-really-bad sense, but more in a cyclical, perpetually irritating, no-relief-from-guilt-of-what-I'm-not-doing-right kind of emotional illness.

Huffington Post

Your inner gut feeling tells you that you're getting into a bad situation; sense it and listen to your senses.

WikiHow

So me thank old woman (maybe witch or maybe just also bad fashion sense).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad sense", consider the specific aspect you want to criticize: judgment, direction, timing, or humor. This will help you choose the most accurate and impactful phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "bad sense" when you mean "nonsense". "Bad sense" implies a lack of good judgment or awareness, while "nonsense" refers to something meaningless or illogical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad sense" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "sense". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is used to describe a deficiency or lack of good judgment, awareness, or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad sense" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a lack of good judgment, awareness, or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in written English. It frequently appears in news and media, with its presence less prominent in academic or formal contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific aspect you're criticizing and consider alternative phrasings like "poor judgment" or "lack of discernment" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor judgment

Focuses on the lack of good decision-making skills.

lack of discernment

Highlights the inability to distinguish between different options or understand subtle differences.

faulty intuition

Emphasizes that someone's gut feeling or instinct is unreliable.

poor awareness

Highlights a lack of understanding of one's surroundings.

misguided perception

Focuses on incorrect or distorted understanding.

flawed understanding

Highlights that someone's comprehension is incorrect.

weak insight

Emphasizes a lack of deep or accurate understanding.

dubious wisdom

Highlights that someone's counsel or advice is questionable.

unwise decision

Focuses on a choice that lacks prudence or sound judgment.

foolish choice

Emphasizes the lack of intelligence of decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad sense" to describe someone's poor judgment, lack of direction, or flawed understanding. For example, "It was "bad sense" to invest all his money in that venture".

What can I say instead of "bad sense"?

You can use alternatives like "poor judgment", "lack of discernment", or "faulty intuition" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "bad sense" or "poor sense"?

Both "bad sense" and "poor sense" are acceptable, but ""bad sense"" is more common when referring to a lack of good judgment or awareness.

What's the difference between "bad sense" and "common sense"?

"Bad sense" implies a lack of good judgment or awareness, while "common sense" refers to sound practical judgment concerning everyday matters.