it bodes ill on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it bodes ill on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "it bodes ill for" when indicating a negative prediction or outcome. Example: "The lack of communication between the departments bodes ill for the success of the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Unless these numbers get better, then it bodes ill on a going-forward basis," he said, adding that many producers were waiting before committing to new shows for the spring.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In particular, it bodes ill for the prospects of regional progress on an issue where it is certainly needed climate change.

The Economist

On the other hand, it bodes ill for worthwhile measures that are inherently complex — and for good propositions stuck near the end of the ballot, such as the plastic bag ban. .

Los Angeles Times

There is a social movement stirring on the far right of American politics and it bodes ill for our future.

Huffington Post

But it bodes ill for peace in Venezuela.Like Colonel Qaddafi, Mr Chávez also has foreign fighters he may be able to count on in a fix.

The Economist

It bodes ill for democratic government.

The Economist

More important, it bodes ill for house prices.

The Economist

If he does not, it bodes ill for both his party and America.

The Economist

But it bodes ill for the people who live in this sprawling region.

The Economist

But it bodes ill for the quality of the sandwiches they serve.

The Economist

If that is true of Bedpan man, it bodes ill for the Tories in the rest of middle England.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "it bodes ill for" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. This phrasing is widely recognized and ensures your message is understood as intended.

Common error

Avoid using prepositions other than "for" after "it bodes ill". Using "on", "to", or other prepositions will make your sentence grammatically incorrect and may confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it bodes ill on" functions as a statement expressing a negative prediction or omen. Although grammatically incorrect, the intent is to suggest that a particular situation or event indicates future trouble or misfortune. Ludwig identifies that this phrase does not follow standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it bodes ill on" is an incorrect variation of the idiomatic expression "it bodes ill for", which suggests a negative prediction or unfavorable outcome. Ludwig flags this phrase as grammatically incorrect. While the intended meaning is clear, adhering to the correct form, "it bodes ill for", ensures grammatical accuracy and improves clarity. Alternative phrases such as "it foreshadows trouble" or "it suggests a negative outcome" can also be used to convey a similar meaning. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, proper usage enhances credibility and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it foreshadows trouble

Replaces the idiomatic "bodes ill" with a more direct expression of future problems.

it suggests a negative outcome

Substitutes "bodes ill" with a clearer indication of an unfavorable result.

it portends badly

Uses a less common verb "portends" to imply a bad omen.

it augurs poorly

Employs "augurs" to signify a negative prediction.

it indicates a grim future

Replaces the idiomatic phrase with a literal description of a bleak outlook.

it spells disaster

Uses a stronger term, "disaster", to emphasize the negative potential.

it heralds misfortune

Replaces the more common "trouble/bad outcome" with a misfortune description.

it foretells adversity

Employs "foretells adversity" to suggest hardship in the future.

it promises a bad ending

Offers a straightforward substitution for the initial phrase that directly describes the negative consequence.

it signals impending doom

Conveys a sense of inevitable and severe negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "it bodes ill for" mean?

The phrase "it bodes ill for" means that something is a bad sign or suggests that something unfavorable is likely to happen. It implies a negative prediction or outcome.

Is it correct to say "it bodes ill on"?

No, the correct idiomatic expression is "it bodes ill for". The use of "on" is grammatically incorrect and not standard English usage, as Ludwig also suggests.

What can I say instead of "it bodes ill for"?

You can use alternatives like "it foreshadows trouble", "it suggests a negative outcome", or "it portends badly" depending on the context.

How do I use "it bodes ill for" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The lack of preparation "it bodes ill for" the success of the project." It usually precedes a statement about the likely negative consequences.