he is evil

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He is evil" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this sentence to describe someone who is behaving in a malevolent way or is a source of malevolence. For example, "Everyone suspected that the new hall monitor was evil because he constantly punished children for minor offenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It's not even that he is evil; he's just empty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I don't think he is evil per se, he is just misled".

The Guardian

We need to eliminate Saddam because he is evil and may have been behind 9/11.

The New York Times

And because he is graspable -- because he is evil personified -- he has become our great idée fixe.

The New York Times - Magazine

In comments to the Brazilian media, Feliciano compared Cunha to the villain in the film Despicable Me, declaring: "If he is evil, then he is my favourite type of evil because he got impeachment moving".

The Guardian

Corey Robin (The Way We Live Now, Dec. 16) writes that "Post-Stonewall or post-Ellen, perhaps it is possible to speculate publicly about someone being gay without implicitly suggesting he is evil".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He or she is evil incarnate.

The New York Times

Unless, of course, he or she is evil incarnate.

Los Angeles Times

He was evil.

Independent

It's not because he's evil.

The Guardian - Film

He's evil – undoubtedly – but he's evil with style.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the word "evil". It's a strong descriptor, so reserve it for situations where the individual's actions have caused significant harm or suffering. Weaker alternatives such as "wicked", "malicious", or "immoral" could be more appropriate in less severe cases.

Common error

Avoid casually labeling someone as "evil" without sufficient justification. This can trivialize the concept of true evil and diminish the impact of your message. Instead, focus on describing the specific actions or behaviors that you find objectionable and explain why they are problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is evil" functions as a predicate adjective, where "he" is the subject, "is" is the linking verb, and "evil" is the adjective describing the subject's nature. According to Ludwig AI, the sentence is correct and readily usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is evil" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong negative judgment about someone's moral character. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It's important to reserve this phrase for situations where there's strong evidence of malevolence. While widely used in news and media, it is crucial to apply it judiciously and avoid casual overuse. Consider alternatives such as "he is wicked" or "he is malicious" depending on the specific context. Always base your assessment on concrete actions and avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is a monster

Uses a direct and impactful label to convey the individual's cruelty and inhumanity.

he is a villain

Uses a common term for a character known for their evil actions.

he is a wicked person

Changes the adjective to a noun phrase, emphasizing the person's inherent wickedness.

he is inherently malicious

Highlights the individual's innate tendency to cause harm and suffering.

he embodies pure evil

Highlights the individual as a representation of evil in its most unadulterated form.

he is the epitome of wickedness

Elevates the individual to the highest degree of wickedness.

he is a force of darkness

Employs metaphorical language to depict the individual as a source of negativity and corruption.

evil resides within him

Shifts the focus to the internal presence of evil within the individual.

he is consumed by darkness

Emphasizes the influence of negativity and corruption on the individual's character.

he is morally bankrupt

Focuses on the lack of moral principles and ethical values in the individual.

FAQs

How can I use "he is evil" in a sentence?

You can use "he is evil" to express a strong negative judgment about someone's character or actions. For example: "After witnessing his betrayal, she concluded that "he is evil"".

What are some alternatives to saying "he is evil"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he is wicked", "he is malicious", or "he is immoral". These options offer varying degrees of intensity and nuance.

Is it appropriate to label someone as "evil"?

Labeling someone as "evil" is a serious accusation that should only be made with careful consideration and strong evidence. It's important to avoid generalizations and base your judgment on specific actions and behaviors rather than personal feelings.

What is the difference between "he is evil" and "he is bad"?

"He is bad" is a more general term that suggests someone is behaving poorly or making mistakes. "He is evil" implies a deeper level of malevolence and a deliberate intention to cause harm. The term "evil" carries much stronger connotations than "bad".