has gone bad

USAGE SUMMARY

"has gone bad" is a perfectly grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has deteriorated or lost its quality, such as food that has gone bad or a device that has stopped working. For example, "We had to throw away the milk because it had gone bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Atlantic City has gone bad.

The Washington Post

Never taste a food that you suspect has gone bad.

The Washington Post

Investors usually decide an acquisition has gone bad within a year or two.

The Economist

In Medea 3 she and Jason have moved to Corinth, where the marriage has gone bad.

The Guardian - Music

"Mine has gone bad, and I wondered if I could borrow a clove or two".

The New York Times

Investors learn that a company has taken a risk only after the risk has gone bad.

The New York Times

It tastes waxy and off, like wine that has gone bad.

The New York Times - Food

This is not a crisis created by an economy that has gone bad".

The New York Times

The toilet titan wrinkles his nose as if the booze has gone bad.

The New York Times

In some cases, the fraud comes after a big investment has gone bad.

The New York Times

Maybe it's the mildewed carpeting, or some of the fruit has gone bad?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "has gone bad" to clearly indicate it is no longer safe or palatable. This phrase is universally understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "has gone bad" is acceptable in many situations, consider more formal alternatives like "has deteriorated" or "has become corrupted" in professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone bad" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a state of deterioration, spoilage, or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

29%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has gone bad" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that has deteriorated, spoiled, or failed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and understood. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's best to consider the formality of the context and choose alternatives like "has deteriorated" or "has spoiled" for more professional settings. When in doubt, relying on your senses is a good way to see if something "has gone bad".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has spoiled

Specifically refers to food or perishable items that are no longer suitable for consumption.

has deteriorated

Focuses on the process of becoming worse or lower in quality.

has gone wrong

General term indicating that a problem or mistake has occurred.

has turned sour

Implies a negative change in a situation, relationship, or attitude.

has become unusable

Highlights the impracticality or impossibility of using something.

has decayed

Suggests a gradual decline or decomposition.

has become corrupted

Emphasizes a loss of integrity or moral purity.

has taken a turn for the worse

Emphasizes a change from a good or neutral state to a bad one.

has fallen apart

Indicates a breakdown or disintegration of something, either physical or abstract.

has ceased to function

Describes a complete failure of something to operate or work.

FAQs

How can I tell if something "has gone bad"?

The phrase "has gone bad" typically refers to spoilage or deterioration. To determine if something "has gone bad", rely on your senses: check for unusual smells, discoloration, or changes in texture.

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

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "has deteriorated", "has spoiled" (especially for food), or "has decomposed" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "had gone bad" instead of "has gone bad"?

Yes, "had gone bad" is grammatically correct. Use "had gone bad" when referring to something that spoiled or deteriorated before a specific point in the past. For example, "The milk had gone bad by the time I checked it this morning."

What does it mean when a relationship "has gone bad"?

When a relationship ""has gone bad"", it means it has deteriorated, become strained, or ended due to unresolved issues, conflict, or a loss of affection. It implies a decline from a positive or neutral state.