being notorious for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being notorious for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is well-known for a particular negative quality or action. Example: "The city is being notorious for its high crime rates, which has deterred many tourists from visiting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Chickens were sent to work the Hilton Hotel near the old Madison Square Garden, or the Astor Hotel in Times Square, the latter being notorious for the young men who lounged on the "meat rack" outside it, and for the circular bar in the Orangerie which was popular with theatre people.

The New Yorker

Protein expression levels obtained with these novel polymer transfection reagents were higher than, or comparable to, expression seen in the cases of JetPEI™, FuGENE® 6 and Lipofectamine™ 2000, the later being notorious for cytotoxicity that accompanies high transfection efficiency.

Biomaterials

An article in last Friday's Times described the DOT chief as being "notorious for a brusque, I-know-best style and a reluctance to compromise".

Huffington Post

And instead of being notorious for anti-Democratic election practices, New York could be implementing a pro-voter agenda with automatic voter registration, same-day registration and expansive early voting.

Huffington Post

Primrose Hill is a local favorite as well as being notorious for celebrity spotting and Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath offers incredible views of the city's landmarks, plus there's open-air swimming at the park's three lakes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now he's notorious for being uxorious.

The New York Times

Cocaine is notorious for promoting violence.

The New Yorker

Indian courts are notorious for long delays.

The New York Times

Defence procurement is notorious for overruns.

The Economist

The north-east is notorious for corruption.

The Economist

BEIJING — China is notorious for its knockoffs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being notorious for", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative aspect. It's most effective when the subject's negative reputation is widely recognized.

Common error

Avoid using "notorious" when a simpler term like "known" or "famous" would suffice. "Notorious" carries a strong negative connotation and should only be used when that negativity is intended and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being notorious for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes a subject by attributing a quality for which they are widely and unfavorably known. Ludwig confirms the validity of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being notorious for" is a phrase used to describe someone or something widely known for a negative quality or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. While its frequency is relatively low, making it a rarer choice, it's appropriate for formal writing and news contexts when a subject truly has a negative reputation. Consider alternatives like "being infamous for" or "having a reputation for" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Be mindful of the strong negative connotation and avoid overusing "notorious" in neutral situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being infamous for

Replaces "notorious" with "infamous", carrying a slightly stronger connotation of widespread disapproval or wickedness.

being well-known for (negative reason)

More explicitly states the negative connotation, offering a clearer and less subtle alternative.

being ill-famed for

Uses "ill-famed" as a more formal and less common synonym for "notorious".

having a reputation for (negative trait)

Shifts the structure to focus on reputation, implying a widespread belief about a negative characteristic.

being identified with (negative attribute)

Suggests a strong association with a negative attribute, almost defining the subject.

being stigmatized by

Emphasizes the negative social consequences of a particular trait or action.

acquiring notoriety for

Focuses on the process of gaining a negative reputation.

gaining infamy due to

Similar to "acquiring notoriety", but with the stronger connotation of "infamy".

becoming discredited because of

Highlights the loss of credibility due to a particular action or trait.

being marked by (negative characteristic)

Suggests that a negative characteristic is a defining feature.

FAQs

What does "being notorious for" mean?

It means to be widely known for something negative or undesirable. It implies a strong, often unfavorable reputation.

What can I say instead of "being notorious for"?

You can use alternatives like "being infamous for", "having a reputation for" (followed by a negative trait), or "being well-known for (a negative reason)" depending on the specific context.

How is "being notorious for" different from "being famous for"?

"Being famous for" generally implies positive recognition, while "being notorious for" specifically refers to negative or undesirable recognition.

Is it appropriate to use "being notorious for" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate in formal writing when the subject genuinely has a negative reputation. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term; otherwise, a more neutral alternative might be preferable.