critical remarks

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical remarks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an opinion or judgment that is negative or disapproving. For example: "The teacher made several critical remarks about my essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That his evidence prompted several critical remarks.

The Guardian

Witherspoon apologized for his critical remarks to King.

The New York Times - Sports

Mike never became agitated or made critical remarks.

The New York Times - Travel

However, some critical remarks on their use can also be made.

Journal of Chromatography A

Some critical remarks useful in designing a nonlinear Kalman filter are pointed out.

Measurement

The board's "country-club atmosphere", full of unwritten rules, did not encourage critical remarks or discussion.

The Economist

By midweek, after sharply critical remarks from Mr. Boehner on Tuesday, Mr. Chocola's outlook had brightened.

The New York Times

Critical remarks appeared in Horace, becoming more severe in Seneca and Martial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mind you, he won't come out with critical remarks at feelgood Blackpool either.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Randolph's critical remarks, which challenged the Mets' television network, SportsNet New York, irritated team officials.

The New York Times - Sports

Mailer is the author of quite a few "murderous" critical remarks of his own.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific when detailing "critical remarks". Instead of generalizing, provide concrete examples or areas of concern to add weight and clarity to your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "critical remarks" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "negative comments" or "complaints" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical remarks" functions as a noun phrase, where "critical" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "remarks". As Ludwig AI pointed out, its primary function is to describe negative or disapproving comments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical remarks" is a noun phrase used to describe negative or disapproving comments. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. It commonly appears in formal and semi-formal contexts like news, science, and academic writing, where considered judgments are being conveyed. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in casual settings. Alternatives such as "negative comments" or "unfavorable observations" can be used depending on the desired tone. The high frequency of examples and authoritative sourcing underscores the phrase's established place in English discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative comments

This alternative uses a more general term, "comments", to describe the feedback, which may or may not be severe.

unfavorable observations

This phrase uses more formal language, suggesting a careful and considered judgment.

harsh criticisms

This alternative emphasizes the severity of the judgment being made.

adverse feedback

This phrase is more neutral, suitable for professional or business contexts.

uncomplimentary remarks

This option uses a slightly more polite or indirect way to express negativity.

disapproving comments

This phrase focuses on the lack of approval conveyed by the comments.

biting remarks

This suggests that the remarks are sharp and possibly intended to hurt.

scathing reviews

This implies a thorough and severely critical evaluation, often in a formal setting.

damning assessments

This alternative conveys a strong sense of negativity and judgment.

pointed criticisms

This suggests that the criticisms are direct and focused on specific issues.

FAQs

How can I use "critical remarks" in a sentence?

You can use "critical remarks" to describe negative feedback or judgments. For example, "The report contained several "critical remarks" about the project's feasibility".

What is a less formal alternative to "critical remarks"?

If you need a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "negative comments", "complaints", or "bad feedback" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "critical remarks" instead of "constructive criticism"?

"Critical remarks" generally focus on pointing out flaws, while "constructive criticism" aims to offer improvements. Use "constructive criticism" when you provide suggestions for improvement along with your critique.

What are some synonyms for "critical remarks" that maintain a formal tone?

Synonyms that maintain a formal tone include "unfavorable observations", "harsh criticisms", or "adverse feedback".