comparatively bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparatively bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the quality or performance of something to another, indicating that it is worse in comparison. Example: "While the first movie was entertaining, the sequel was comparatively bad, lacking the charm and depth of its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I don't believe -70 temperatures would be bad in daylight, not comparatively bad, when you could see where you were going, where you were stepping, where the sledge straps were, the cooker, the primus, the food; could see your footsteps lately trodden deep into the soft snow that you might find your way back to the rest of your load.

The New York Times

The data revealed that Renault Meganes for example had a comparatively bad record of failure and Honda Jazzes a particularly good record of passing.

BBC

Following corrections to the initial dataset which contained some errors, we now know an alert will be raised for seven surgeons due to their comparatively bad record on repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms, a highly dangerous bulge in the aorta.

BBC

The problem begins when people make a big deal of comparatively bad or uninformative thought experiments.

Vice

@Amber_Coffman my stories aren't even comparatively bad to what has happened to other girls by this person.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In regard to the long sentences, we know we are no Shakespeares, but the writing does not seem too bad – comparatively.

F1000Research

"I felt like I'd been hit by a truck, but that was, comparatively speaking, not so bad".

The New Yorker

Continental nee Brendan Byrne Arena has some really bad -- comparatively inexpensive -- seats, especially at the top levels, said Mr. Lebduska, but the finances of sports teams have made them obsolete.

The New York Times

In fact, they are not in a bad position, comparatively, since they already own a flat on the other side of the road – "but just seeing what's happened to the prices there, in the past three months, puts the pressure on.

The Guardian - Money

"It's not so bad here, comparatively," he said.

Los Angeles Times

What's even worse about this is that whenever Bloomberg does something bad, but comparatively minor, people get all in a flurry.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comparatively bad", ensure the context clearly establishes what you are comparing it to. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively bad" without providing a specific point of comparison. Saying something is "comparatively bad" without context leaves the reader wondering what it is being compared to, weakening your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively bad" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is inferior in relation to something else. Ludwig examples show it used to describe weather, records, thought experiments and stories. The phrase adds a nuance of relative assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comparatively bad" is a useful tool for expressing negative evaluations based on a point of comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is mainly found in news and media and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's essential to provide a clear reference point to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "relatively poor" or "noticeably worse" can be used for similar expressions. Remember to provide context when using "comparatively bad" to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worse in comparison

Directly states that a comparison reveals a poorer state.

poor by comparison

Highlights the inadequate nature of something when viewed alongside something else.

slightly worse

Indicates the situation is not as good as what is being compared to.

relatively poor

This alternative focuses on the lower quality in relation to something else.

less favorable

Suggests an outcome or situation that is not as positive or desirable as another.

noticeably worse

Highlights the degree of difference, emphasizing that the disparity is easily observed.

significantly inferior

Emphasizes a considerable gap in quality or performance.

measurably deficient

Suggests a quantifiable difference in a negative way.

at a disadvantage

Focuses on the relative lack of benefit or advantage compared to another situation or entity.

somewhat substandard

Indicates a less severe degree of inferiority, suggesting it is below the expected standard.

FAQs

What does "comparatively bad" mean?

The phrase "comparatively bad" means something is worse when compared to something else. It indicates a relative deficiency or lower quality in relation to a specific benchmark or alternative.

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

You can use "comparatively bad" to show something's quality is worse than something else. For example, "While the restaurant's service was acceptable, the food was "relatively poor"."

What are some alternatives to saying "comparatively bad"?

Some alternatives include "relatively poor", "noticeably worse", or "significantly inferior", depending on the degree of difference you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "comparatively bad" to?

Yes, providing a point of comparison adds clarity. Without it, the statement lacks context and can be vague. Specify what the subject is "worse in comparison" to for better understanding.