horrible practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrible practice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a method or behavior that is considered unethical, ineffective, or harmful in a particular context. Example: "The company's decision to cut corners on safety measures is a horrible practice that endangers employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

One can say, "it's a horrible practice and it needs to be stopped".

The New York Times - Health

Mine waste dumping in the sea is a horrible practice because you lose all control of where it ends up," said Lundberg.

The Guardian

"I ask all the great nations of the world to stand up, expose the horrible practice of publishing torture reports, and say, 'This is not who we are,' " Cheney said.

The New Yorker

As part of the ideological battle against the Islamic State, he said, a Trump administration will "be a friend to all moderate Muslim reformers in the Middle East," and would speak out "against the horrible practice of honor killings, where women are murdered by their relatives for dressing, marrying or acting in a way that violates fundamentalist teachings".

The New York Times

A horrible practice which, er, has sometimes even caught out some very techie people.

TechCrunch

A concept that really does seem like an awfully horrible practice to a toddler?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And now their horrible practices are starting to catch up with them".

The Guardian - Money

"Trustee's eyes were off the fundraising ball" and this led to "horrible practices".

The Guardian

"I feel moral and political responsibility that we could not eradicate such horrible practices," Mr. Akhalaia said.

The New York Times

Yet that fury was largely parasitic, feeding on years of painstaking, professional investigative reporting, above all by the Guardian, the (loss-making) daily that broke many of the phone-hacking stories.Exposing horrible practices within the British press, some of them blatantly against the law, is an important mission, not yet complete.

The Economist

A law on international child welfare now, without serious reforms in the U.S. and in the target countries first, cannot be pulled of in an ethical manner, since it would continue the often horrible practices under which kids and their families currently suffer immensely.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "atrocious", "abominable", or "reprehensible" to intensify the negative connotation of the "horrible practice".

Common error

Avoid using "horrible practice" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide concrete details about why the practice is harmful or unethical. Vague accusations weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrible practice" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "horrible" modifies the noun "practice". This construction serves to describe a specific action, behavior, or method as extremely undesirable or negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and can describe unethical or harmful actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "horrible practice" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval of a particular method or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. While not overly formal, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, where expressing negative opinions is common. When using this phrase, be specific about the reasons for disapproval to maximize impact. Consider synonyms like "terrible habit" or "awful custom" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible habit

Replaces "practice" with "habit", suggesting a routine behavior.

awful custom

Substitutes "horrible" with "awful" and "practice" with "custom", emphasizing a societal norm.

dreadful procedure

Replaces "practice" with "procedure", highlighting a formal or established process.

atrocious behavior

Shifts from a method to a general conduct.

abominable activity

Replaces "horrible" with "abominable" and "practice" with "activity", intensifying the negative connotation.

unacceptable conduct

Focuses on the unacceptability of the behavior.

appalling tradition

Highlights the shocking nature of a customary action.

deplorable act

Emphasizes the reprehensible nature of a single action.

reprehensible method

Focuses on the blameworthy nature of a specific method.

egregious process

Highlights the outstandingly bad nature of a process.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "horrible practice"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible habit", "awful custom", or "dreadful procedure" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "horrible practice" in a sentence?

You can use "horrible practice" to describe something you strongly disapprove of. For example, "The company's policy of ignoring employee complaints is a "horrible practice" that needs to change."

Is "horrible practice" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "horrible practice" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In some formal contexts, a more neutral term like "unacceptable method" or "problematic procedure" may be more appropriate.

What makes something qualify as a "horrible practice"?

A "horrible practice" is typically something that is unethical, ineffective, or harmful. It often involves actions or behaviors that cause significant negative consequences.