evil designs

USAGE SUMMARY

"evil designs" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means wicked or harmful intentions or plans. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing a character's motives or describing a sinister plot. Example: The villain's evil designs for world domination were finally thwarted by the brave hero. In this sentence, "evil designs" is used to describe the villain's malicious intentions and plans for taking over the world. It conveys a sense of darkness and danger associated with the villain's actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

In a nutshell, to save Mother Nature from the evil designs of mankind.

The Guardian

His job, broadly, is to "spread awareness" of the evil designs of Hinduism's many enemies.

The Guardian

"We will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers," he said.

The Guardian

Hadn't we driven a stake through the conviction that everyone who disagrees with us is motivated by evil designs?

The New York Times - Magazine

Are the causes of suffering outside of oneself, in blind chance, in the evil designs of others, in the malice of the gods?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, all that stands between a solemn anniversary and Osama bin Laden's evil designs are Brooke Chandler, a patriotic C.I.A. agent, and his mentor, Carter Grey, now retired.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Such measures may be a necessary evil, designed to protect the delicate fruit from being squashed.

The Washington Post

"Three things, really: I call them lazy, stupid and evil design," he replies.

The Guardian - Tech

Now, in the second volume, we must run the race between Hitler's most evil design and his inevitable defeat.

The New York Times - Books

Lipman added, "The allegation was that he couldn't possibly be doing this out of philanthropy — he must have had an evil design".

The New Yorker

The final stages of his evil design are due to be financed by selling copies of the Mona Lisa which the villain forced Leonardo da Vinci to paint.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evil designs" to specifically denote well-thought-out, harmful plans rather than impulsive acts of malice. For example, "The corporation's evil designs to pollute the river were meticulously planned for maximum profit."

Common error

Avoid using "evil designs" to describe spur-of-the-moment bad decisions or thoughtless actions. The phrase implies a level of premeditation and planning that isn't present in impulsive behavior. Instead, use words like 'mistake', 'error', or 'lapse in judgment'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evil designs" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a set of plans or intentions that are characterized by wickedness or harmful intent, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evil designs" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe wicked or harmful intentions involving premeditated planning. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally considered correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys condemnation or disapproval and has several alternatives like "malicious plots" or "wicked schemes". When using "evil designs", ensure it reflects deliberate plotting rather than impulsive actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious plots

Emphasizes the secret and harmful nature of the plans.

wicked schemes

Highlights the immoral and devious nature of the plans.

nefarious plans

Focuses on the extreme wickedness and illegality of the schemes.

sinister intentions

Highlights the threatening and ominous nature of the intentions.

diabolical schemes

Emphasizes the extreme evil and cunning involved in the schemes.

malevolent intentions

Focuses on the ill will and desire to cause harm.

pernicious plots

Highlights the subtle but destructive nature of the plots.

villainous schemes

Directly relates the plans to a villainous character or motive.

treacherous plans

Emphasizes the deceitful and disloyal aspects of the plans.

Machiavellian schemes

Refers to cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous tactics, as employed by Machiavelli.

FAQs

How can I use "evil designs" in a sentence?

"Evil designs" refers to wicked or harmful intentions, often involving a plan. For example, "The spy uncovered the enemy's "evil designs" to sabotage the peace talks."

What are some alternatives to "evil designs"?

You can use alternatives such as "malicious plots", "wicked schemes", or "nefarious plans" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "evil designs" and "bad intentions"?

"Evil designs" implies a more elaborate plan and a greater degree of premeditation than simply having "bad intentions".

Is "evil designs" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "evil designs" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or when discussing serious topics.