is necessarily bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is necessarily bad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something (or someone) cannot avoid having a negative consequence or result. For example: "Reading the comments of some online forums is necessarily bad, as it can lead to feelings of depression and low self-esteem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Not that slow is necessarily bad.

The New York Times - Arts

Not all inequality is necessarily bad.

The Washington Post

Not that the phenomenon is necessarily bad from his perspective.

The New York Times

The point is not that faster inflation itself is necessarily bad.

The Economist

None of this is necessarily bad; any writer will welcome informed opinions that improve their work.

The Guardian - Books

What it doesn't mean is that all factory farming is necessarily bad.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Not that this was necessarily bad news.

The Guardian - Music

But not all processed foods are necessarily bad.

Harvard University

Which isn't to say they're necessarily bad insights.

The New York Times - Books

The effects of the Black Death were many, although not all of them were necessarily bad.

Britannica

The surprise results challenge the view that computer games are necessarily bad for sight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is necessarily bad" when you want to express that something's negative consequences are unavoidable, but be open to counterarguments. Acknowledge the potential for unexpected benefits or mitigating factors.

Common error

Avoid using "is necessarily bad" in situations where the negative outcome is not truly unavoidable. Overstating the inevitability can shut down productive discussion and obscure potential solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is necessarily bad" functions as a qualifying statement. It serves to temper a generally negative perception, suggesting that a particular outcome or situation is not inherently or universally negative. As Ludwig AI explains, it doesn't have an unavoidable negative consequence or result.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is necessarily bad" is a useful tool for injecting nuance into discussions and avoiding overly simplistic judgments. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it acknowledges a potential negative aspect, it also opens the door for considering alternative perspectives. When writing, remember that using "is necessarily bad" effectively involves recognizing the potential for unexpected benefits or mitigating factors, and avoiding overstatements of inevitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is bound to be negative

Focuses on the certainty of a negative outcome.

cannot avoid being harmful

Highlights the inability to prevent harm.

is inevitably detrimental

Highlights the unavoidable harmful effect.

will invariably be adverse

Underscores the unchangeable, negative consequence.

is certainly unfavorable

Emphasizes the assuredly undesirable nature.

is destined to be harmful

Implies a preordained negative result.

is guaranteed to be problematic

Stresses the ensured presence of problems.

is inherently flawed

Focuses on an intrinsic, negative quality.

is intrinsically defective

Highlights a built-in fault.

is doomed to fail

Suggests an unavoidable, negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "is necessarily bad" in a sentence?

Use "is necessarily bad" to indicate that something inherently or inevitably leads to a negative outcome. For instance, "Increased screen time isn't necessarily bad if balanced with other activities".

What are some alternatives to saying "is necessarily bad"?

You could use phrases like "is bound to be negative", "is inevitably detrimental", or "cannot avoid being harmful" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is necessarily bad"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a common perception of something being negative, but you also want to suggest that this perception might not always be accurate or complete. For instance, "Change isn't necessarily bad, but it can be disruptive".

What's the difference between "is necessarily bad" and "is always bad"?

"Is necessarily bad" implies that something has inherent or unavoidable negative aspects, while "is always bad" suggests that there are no exceptions to its negativity. "Is necessarily bad" leaves room for potential benefits or mitigating circumstances, whereas "is always bad" does not.