expressing criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressing criticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of voicing disapproval or pointing out faults in someone or something. Example: "The article is effective in expressing criticism of the government's policies on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"But the procedure of expressing criticism and protest should be in such a way that would lead to the betterment of public life and country's situation".

The New Yorker

But by then Chomsky had seen the contents of Berlin's original letter, and he was understandably severe on what even Hardy terms Berlin's "underhand mode of expressing criticism", recognising its roots in Britain's too-cosy establishment culture.

The Guardian - Books

After expressing criticism of Bear Bryant, the Alabama football coach, Mr. Scott drew enmity from Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, who in a speech before the Birmingham Touchdown Club in 1972 called Mr. Scott an enemy of sport, a "permacritic" and a "guru from Berkeley".

The New York Times - Sports

Prince Charles was not alone in expressing criticism of The Satanic Verses; John le Carré wrote in the Guardian at the time that nobody had "a God-given right to insult a great world religion and be published with impunity", while Roald Dahl called Rushdie "a dangerous opportunist" who "must have been totally aware of the deep and violent feelings his book would stir up among devout Muslims".

The Guardian - Books

(Unsurprisingly, Frum was recently eased out of his position at the American Enterprise Institute after expressing criticism of Republican tactics in the health care debate).

Huffington Post

At a later date, all sides of the dispute were united in expressing criticism for at least some of Bogdan-Pitești's deeds.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"You can sense this at internal meetings, where the atmosphere has changed and people are expressing criticisms more freely".

The New York Times

Like the Chinese government, Vietnam's leaders have no patience for political dissent, and they continue to arrest people for expressing criticisms in e-mail messages.

The New York Times

But avoid making judgments and expressing criticisms of her.

Huffington Post

Indeed, in an earlier study, mothers of ADHD children who had responded positively to methylphenidate treatment, their expression of warmth increased and expressed criticism towards their child decreased [ 52].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

But Qamar Zaman Kaira, Pakistan's information minister, expressed criticism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for neutral language, use "expressing criticism" to objectively describe the act of voicing disapproval. This avoids potential connotations of negativity associated with other verbs like "complaining" or "denouncing".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is expressing the criticism. Instead of "Criticism was expressed," specify "The author expressed criticism" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressing criticism" functions as a noun phrase that describes the act of articulating or conveying disapproval or negative judgment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressing criticism" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively describes the act of voicing disapproval or pointing out flaws. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While alternative phrases like "voicing disapproval" and "articulating criticism" offer similar meanings, "expressing criticism" provides a neutral and objective way to describe the act of conveying disapproval. When using this phrase, be mindful of clarity and avoid overuse of the passive voice to ensure your message is impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voicing disapproval

Focuses on the act of expressing disagreement or negative sentiment rather than the specifics of the criticism itself.

articulating criticism

Highlights the clarity and structure of the expressed criticism, suggesting a more thoughtful and reasoned approach.

conveying disapproval

Emphasizes the act of communicating disagreement or negative feelings.

registering disapproval

Suggests a more formal or official expression of disagreement.

leveling criticism

Implies directing criticism at a specific target, often with a confrontational tone.

offering critique

Indicates a more constructive and analytical form of criticism, often aimed at improvement.

voicing objections

Focuses on expressing opposition or disagreement, often in response to a specific proposal or action.

registering objections

Emphasizes a formal or official expression of disagreement.

lodging a complaint

Denotes a formal expression of dissatisfaction or grievance.

raising concerns

Highlights the expression of worries or anxieties about a particular issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "expressing criticism" to describe the act of voicing disapproval or pointing out faults. For example, "The article is effective in "expressing criticism" of the government's policies".

What are some alternatives to "expressing criticism"?

Alternatives include "voicing disapproval", "articulating criticism", or "conveying disapproval", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "expressing criticism" or "giving criticism"?

"Expressing criticism" is generally preferred in formal writing as it sounds more professional and less colloquial than "giving criticism".

What's the difference between "expressing criticism" and "making accusations"?

"Expressing criticism" involves pointing out faults or expressing disapproval, while "making accusations" involves formally charging someone with wrongdoing. The former is a broader term and does not necessarily imply a formal charge.