criticism for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criticism for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are criticizing someone or something. For example: "The teacher had criticism for every student's paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't about simple criticism for the sake of criticizing.

Huffington Post

And he absorbed criticism for it.

The New York Times - Books

You took some criticism for this.

The New York Times - Magazine

PAGE A18 Criticism for F.B.I.

The New York Times

Stevens drew criticism for that defeat.

The New York Times - Sports

He reserved special criticism for President Sarkozy.

The Guardian

There has been more criticism for Trump.

The Guardian - Opinion

Coventry's previous owners deserve criticism for this.

The Guardian - Sport

The move earned him criticism for disloyalty.

The Guardian

The government has come under criticism for not alerting people.

The New York Times

But Parcells saved his harshest criticism for his quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criticism for", ensure the subject receiving the criticism is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "There was criticism for the decision", specify "There was criticism for the board's decision".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "criticism for" without specifying the aspects being criticized. For instance, rather than saying "The policy faced criticism", clarify with "The policy faced criticism for its lack of transparency and potential impact on small businesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criticism for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the reason or basis for disapproval. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common way to specify why someone or something is being criticized, as shown in examples like "The government has come under "criticism for" not alerting people."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criticism for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to specify the reason for disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, be clear about what exactly is being criticized. Consider alternatives like "critique of" or "disapproval of" depending on the desired nuance. "Criticism for" is a frequent and versatile tool for conveying negative feedback effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critique of

Focuses on a detailed evaluation or assessment, which may include both positive and negative aspects, not necessarily negative like "criticism for".

disapproval of

Conveys a sense of not approving or accepting something, often implying a moral or ethical judgment.

negative feedback on

Highlights the negative aspects of the feedback received, emphasizing the specific comments rather than the overall disapproval.

objection to

Emphasizes the act of opposing or disagreeing with something, often implying a formal or stated dissent.

backlash against

Indicates a strong negative reaction or opposition, often widespread and public, in response to something.

censure of

Suggests a formal and strong expression of disapproval or condemnation, typically in an official context.

condemnation of

Implies a strong and public denouncement of something, often due to moral or ethical concerns.

reproach for

Suggests mild disapproval or gentle criticism, often implying a sense of disappointment.

flak over

An informal expression indicating strong criticism or negative reactions, often in response to a controversial action or statement.

stick for

British slang indicating harsh criticism or rebuke, implying unfair treatment or blame.

FAQs

How can I use "criticism for" in a sentence?

You can use "criticism for" to indicate that someone or something is receiving negative feedback. For example, "The film received "criticism for" its historical inaccuracies".

What are some alternatives to "criticism for"?

Alternatives to "criticism for" include "critique of", "negative feedback on", or "disapproval of" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "criticism for" and "criticism of"?

"Criticism for" generally indicates the reason or basis for the criticism, while "criticism of" focuses on the subject being criticized. For example, "criticism for the policy" explains the reason for the criticism, while "criticism of the policy" emphasizes the policy itself as the target.

Which is correct, "criticism for" or "criticism about"?

"Criticism for" is the more standard and grammatically sound choice. "Criticism about" is less common and can sound awkward in formal writing. It is recommended to use "criticism for".