is frowned upon

USAGE SUMMARY

'is frowned upon' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a certain action or behavior is not generally approved of or accepted. For example: Smoking in public places is frowned upon in many cities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thought is frowned upon.

The Economist

Friendship is frowned upon.

Independent

"But it is frowned upon".

The Guardian

British frivolity is frowned upon".

The Guardian

Touching the goods is frowned upon.

The Economist

Overt back-scratching is frowned upon.

The New York Times

Touching riders is frowned upon but allowed.

The New York Times - Sports

The word mercenary is frowned upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Leaning on one's elbows is frowned upon.

The New Yorker

"At AOL, civility is frowned upon.

The New York Times

"Excess," he said, "is frowned upon heavily".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is frowned upon", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the frowning. This adds clarity and authority to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is frowned upon" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "people don't like it" or "it's not cool" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is frowned upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject receives disapproval or negative judgment. It's used to express that certain behaviors or actions are not socially accepted or are discouraged, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is frowned upon" is a commonly used passive construction to express that something is generally disapproved of or socially unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While it's generally appropriate for neutral and somewhat formal communication, simpler alternatives might be better suited for casual conversations. Understanding the nuances of this phrase can help ensure clear and effective communication in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is discouraged

Focuses on active discouragement rather than passive disapproval.

is disapproved of

Highlights a more formal or explicit disapproval.

is not accepted

Emphasizes a lack of social or conventional acceptance.

is looked down upon

Conveys a sense of social superiority and disdain.

is considered unacceptable

Presents a more definitive judgment of inappropriateness.

is not well-received

Focuses on the negative reception or reaction to something.

meets with disapproval

Indicates a direct confrontation with disapproval.

is regarded unfavorably

Implies a negative assessment or opinion.

is frowned at

A more literal and less common variant, indicating a facial expression of disapproval.

is censured

Suggests formal or official criticism or condemnation.

FAQs

How can I use "is frowned upon" in a sentence?

Use "is frowned upon" to indicate that a particular behavior or action is generally disapproved of or socially unacceptable. For example, "Public displays of affection "is frowned upon" in some cultures".

What can I say instead of "is frowned upon"?

You can use alternatives like "is discouraged", "is disapproved of", or "is not accepted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is frowned at" instead of "is frowned upon"?

"Is frowned at" is grammatically correct, but less common and can sound awkward. "Is frowned upon" is generally the preferred and more widely accepted phrasing.

What's the difference between "is frowned upon" and "is forbidden"?

"Is frowned upon" suggests social disapproval or discouragement, while "is forbidden" indicates that something is officially prohibited or against the rules. The latter is stronger and implies a formal ban.