has a bad connotation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a bad connotation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the negative implications or associations of a word or phrase. Example: "The term 'feminazi' has a bad connotation and is often used to dismiss legitimate feminist concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She grew up there, and it has a bad connotation for her".

The New York Times

Third, there is a significant difference between NIMBY and NIABY (not-in-anyone's-backyard) [19]: In the German protest discourse, the term NIMBY has a bad connotation, e.g., because it accuses the protesters of being selfish.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

In our current politically divisive environment, anything with the word 'political' in it already has a bad connotation; and it really isn't about what is the correct or incorrect thing to say.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We're going to call it the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement," adding that the term Nafta — which he has called the "worst" trade deal in history — had "a bad connotation" for the United States.

The New York Times

He admitted to me that the word "liberal" for him had a bad connotation and that the word "conservative" did not.

Huffington Post

"Labrum surgeries sort of have a bad connotation in baseball for certain reasons, one of which is that it's not always very straight forward what to do in a pitcher's shoulder," ElAttrache explained.

Los Angeles Times

Now most of you probably hear the words "teenage actor" and are reminded of names such as Hannah Montana and iCarly and that can have a bad connotation for a lot of people.

Huffington Post

"The word has such a bad connotation.

Los Angeles Times

"We didn't want to call it the Senators because it had such a bad connotation," he said.

The Washington Post

"Made in Japan" had such a bad connotation initially that some companies set up plants in the Japanese village of Usa, which allowed them to say their products were "Made in USA". It's difficult to believe now, but even Japan's vaunted autos flopped miserably when first introduced to the United States in the late 1950s.

Los Angeles Times

The word "thriller" has, for some, a bad connotation.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has a bad connotation", be specific about what that negative connotation is and who holds that view. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "has a bad connotation" without explaining why or providing examples. This makes your statement vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a bad connotation" functions as a predicate in a sentence, attributing a quality (a negative association) to a subject (a word, phrase, or concept). Ludwig AI validates this as grammatically correct, demonstrating its established function in conveying negative implications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has a bad connotation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate negative associations with a term or concept. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it's suitable for various contexts when you need to highlight the negative implications of something. When employing this phrase, remember to provide specific examples or context to clarify the nature of the negative connotation for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carries a negative association

Replaces 'connotation' with 'association', emphasizing the link between a term and negative feelings.

has a negative implication

Substitutes 'connotation' with 'implication', focusing on the indirect suggestion of something negative.

is viewed unfavorably

Shifts from the term itself to how it's perceived, highlighting negative reception.

is considered distasteful

Emphasizes the negative reception and offensiveness of something.

suffers from a poor reputation

Focuses on the overall reputation rather than the specific connotation.

is tainted with negativity

Uses a metaphor ('tainted') to describe the presence of negative qualities.

is associated with negative stereotypes

Specifies the type of negative association as stereotypes.

is fraught with negative undertones

Replaces 'connotation' with 'undertones', focusing on subtle negative hints.

is burdened with negative baggage

Uses a metaphor ('baggage') to describe the burden of negative associations.

is shadowed by negativity

Focuses on the influence of negative feelings surrounding the object or concept.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "has a bad connotation"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "carries a negative implication", or "is viewed unfavorably". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

How can I clarify what a "bad connotation" means in my writing?

Always provide context or examples. For instance, instead of saying "The term is problematic because it has a bad connotation", specify "The term is problematic because it "carries a negative association" with historical injustices".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "has a bad connotation"?

It's generally acceptable, but consider your audience and the tone you want to convey. In some contexts, a more nuanced or specific phrase might be more effective.

What's the difference between "has a bad connotation" and "is offensive"?

"Has a bad connotation" implies a negative association or implication, while "is offensive" suggests that something is likely to cause outrage or hurt feelings. While the two may overlap, "is offensive" is a stronger and more direct statement.