equally bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two or more things that are perceived to have the same negative quality or impact. Example: "Both options are equally bad, so we need to find a better solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But equally bad".

The New York Times

Southampton here were equally bad.

Independent

And both are equally bad economics.

The New York Times

Not all such deals are equally bad.

The Economist

He's equally bad at both gigs.

The New Yorker

But the choices are not equally bad.

The New York Times

Not all "offensive" jokes are equally bad.

The New Yorker

"We played equally bad in both defenses".

The New York Times

Mr. Hidalgo was in equally bad shape.

The New York Times

Both are equally bad for your health".

The New York Times - Food

But last week's news was equally bad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex issues, using "equally bad" can effectively highlight situations where multiple factors contribute to an undesirable outcome, ensuring clarity and avoiding potential biases toward a single cause.

Common error

Avoid using "equally bad" when the negative impacts are subtly different. Instead, specify the unique drawbacks of each option to provide a more detailed and accurate assessment. It is crucial to explain the nuances and not oversimplify the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally bad" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that two or more subjects share the same degree of negative quality. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to equate undesirable aspects of different options or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "equally bad" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing that two or more things share a similar degree of negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a comparative adjective phrase suitable for diverse contexts, though most common in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is accurate and specific, avoiding overuse in nuanced situations. Alternatives such as "just as terrible" or "similarly awful" can offer variety, but "equally bad" remains a clear and effective choice in many scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as terrible

Emphasizes the level of negativity while using "terrible" instead of "bad".

similarly awful

Uses "awful" to denote a comparable level of unpleasantness or poor quality.

comparably poor

Highlights the substandard quality of multiple subjects being compared.

as dreadful

Replaces "bad" with "dreadful", stressing a high degree of unpleasantness.

identically negative

Focuses on the matching negative impact or outcome.

of equivalent detriment

Formal phrasing emphasizing the equal degree of harm or damage.

no better

Implies a lack of improvement or superiority, indicating equal inadequacy.

on par in awfulness

Positions multiple subjects as equally appalling or dreadful.

of the same caliber of negativity

Formal and emphatic way to express the matching negative nature.

matched in undesirable quality

Highlights the undesirable quality being matched.

FAQs

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

You can use "equally bad" to indicate that two or more things are similarly undesirable. For example, "Both options are "equally bad", so we need to find a different solution."

What can I say instead of "equally bad"?

Alternatives include "just as terrible", "similarly awful", or "comparably poor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as equally bad"?

The phrase "as equally bad" is redundant. Using "equally bad" is sufficient and grammatically correct. You can also say "just as bad".

What's the difference between "equally bad" and "almost as bad"?

"Equally bad" means two or more things are of the same negative quality. "Almost as bad" indicates that something is very close to being as bad, but not quite. The distinction lies in the degree of negativity; "almost as bad" implies a slight difference in severity.