foul attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

"foul attitude" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express disapproval of someone's attitude, such as "She had a foul attitude when speaking to her co-workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Van Bommel, with his often foul attitude toward kicking opponents, was caught out of position and off-guard when he let Koscielny sneak away from him to head the first goal from a corner kick.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While it's true that many employers refuse to hire them because of racial fear and ignorance, the unstated but real perception is that many young black males are inherent drive-by-shooters, gang bangers, drug dealers, are lazy, have foul attitudes, are chronic underachievers and eternal menaces to society.

HuffPost

We don't want to admit it, but we all talk about how foul our social attitude is these days.

Huffington Post

Gay people have equal rights, live openly and freely, but among most ethnic communities, foul anti-gay attitudes fester and those who come out are humiliated, isolated, forced into heterosexuality, "cleansed", crushed.

Independent

Like the United States Postal Service, New York Water Taxi, which runs the boats, takes a plucky attitude toward foul weather.

The New York Times

While Ukraine's controversial president Petro Poroshenko hailed the Eurovision result, Russian officials have cried foul, claiming that political attitudes prevailed over fair competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

She's back in the UK with a show that promises to tackle maternal issues with the same foul-mouthed gung-ho attitude she's always had.

The Guardian

But his show-boating after the dunk drew a technical foul, the same way Moses' attitude drew one against Oklahoma in the Big 12 tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

(One, Fawn, is described this way on the film's Web site: "Fawn is a Bambi gone wrong. A cute concrete deer with a foul mouth and a bad attitude").

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, refusing to mellow with age, she remains delightfully foul-mouthed, a crinkly with attitude.

Independent

Queiroz went out of his way to offer his condolences to Coach Kim and to praise the North Koreans' dignity and sportsmanship, contrasting their attitude with the foul-filled finish of Brazil's 3-1 victoverover Ivory Coast on Sunday night, which led to the debated expulsion of the Brazilian star Kaká.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foul attitude", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific behaviors or expressions that make the attitude objectionable. Specificity enhances the impact.

Common error

While "foul attitude" is understood, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where more nuanced or diplomatic language would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "uncooperative demeanor" or "negative disposition" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul attitude" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "attitude" with the adjective "foul". It describes the quality or nature of someone's attitude, indicating that it is unpleasant or objectionable. Ludwig's AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foul attitude" is used to describe an unpleasant or objectionable disposition. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears primarily in news and media contexts. While infrequent, it serves to express disapproval and convey a negative judgment. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in highly formal settings where alternative expressions such as "negative mindset" or "uncooperative demeanor" might be more appropriate. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when determining whether "foul attitude" effectively communicates your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad attitude

A more common and less intense way to describe a negative disposition.

disagreeable disposition

Emphasizes the unpleasant nature of someone's inherent temperament.

obnoxious demeanor

Focuses on the offensive and irritating behavior displayed by an individual.

nasty temper

Highlights the tendency towards anger and irritability.

sour temperament

Conveys a sense of bitterness and negativity in one's general mood.

unpleasant outlook

Stresses a negative or pessimistic perspective on life or situations.

negative mindset

Highlights a consistently pessimistic way of thinking and approaching situations.

offensive character

Emphasizes the repugnant and disagreeable qualities of someone's personality.

disagreeable nature

Focuses on the inherently unpleasant and contrary aspect of someone's personality.

crabby disposition

Suggests a habitually irritable and grumpy state of mind.

FAQs

How can I describe a "foul attitude" without using the word "foul"?

Alternatives include "negative mindset", "bad attitude", or "disagreeable disposition", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "foul attitude" too informal for professional writing?

It can be. In professional contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "uncooperative demeanor" or "negative disposition" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "bad attitude" and "foul attitude"?

"Foul attitude" generally implies a more intense or offensive negativity than "bad attitude". The term "foul" suggests something deeply unpleasant or morally objectionable.

How to use "foul attitude" in a sentence?

Example: "His dismissal was due to his "foul attitude" and repeated insubordination." You could also say: "The team suffered because of the player's "foul attitude"."