being critical of

USAGE SUMMARY

"being critical of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to expressing disapproval or pointing out flaws or shortcomings in something or someone. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as discussing a person's behavior, a piece of writing, or a decision made by someone. Example: The teacher's comments on my essay were very helpful, but she was also very critical of my use of grammar.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Republican Leadership Council, an independent Republican group, showed television advertisements criticizing Mr. Forbes for being critical of Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

"Stop being critical of yourself," it said.

The New York Times

"But I'm not being critical of Darryl.

The New York Times - Sports

"Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientology itself," Remini said.

Independent

Torre was not complaining, not being critical of his team.

The New York Times - Sports

Though I don't mind being critical of certain things.

The New York Times - Arts

And that was taken as being critical of the regime.

The Guardian - Books

Mantel wasn't being critical of Kate as a woman.

The Guardian - Opinion

No Democrat wants Elizabeth Warren being critical of him".

The New Yorker

Onyekwe was not being critical of American policy.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's not being critical of anybody; that's just baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being critical of", ensure that your critique is constructive and offers potential solutions rather than simply pointing out flaws.

Common error

Be mindful not to let "being critical of" devolve into negativity without offering alternative perspectives or constructive feedback. Balance critique with positive reinforcement to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being critical of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the state of expressing disapproval or judgement. Ludwig's examples showcase it being used to describe someone's attitude or actions towards a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being critical of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disapproval or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure your criticism is constructive and balanced with positive feedback. Common alternatives include "expressing disapproval of" or "finding fault with", which can soften the tone. It's advisable to use it thoughtfully, aiming for objectivity and fairness in your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expressing disapproval of

Focuses on the act of showing disagreement or dislike.

finding fault with

Emphasizes the act of discovering negative aspects.

casting a negative light on

Highlights the action of presenting something in an unfavorable way.

taking a dim view of

Indicates a pessimistic or disapproving attitude.

expressing reservations about

Suggests a degree of doubt or hesitation.

questioning the validity of

Focuses on challenging the correctness or soundness.

challenging the merits of

Highlights a dispute or disagreement about something's good qualities.

expressing skepticism towards

Emphasizes doubt about the truth or validity.

objecting to

Indicates opposition or disagreement.

denouncing

Highlights public condemnation or strong disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "being critical of" in a sentence?

You can use "being critical of" to express disapproval or evaluation. For example: "The reviewer was "being critical of" the movie's plot."

What's a less direct way to say "being critical of"?

Consider using alternatives like "expressing disapproval of" or "finding fault with" to soften the tone.

Is there a difference between "being critical of" and "being constructive of"?

"Being critical of" generally means pointing out flaws. "Being constructive of" implies offering suggestions for improvement alongside the criticism.

When is it appropriate to use "being critical of"?

It's appropriate when providing feedback, analyzing a situation, or expressing a well-reasoned opinion. Ensure your critique is fair, objective, and based on evidence.