misbehave with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'misbehave with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone behaving inappropriately towards someone else. For example, "He was reprimanded for misbehaving with his teacher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Simply because the Americans misbehave with the people".

The New York Times

"There were young girls living right next to us, he didn't misbehave with them.

The New York Times

This led people to conclude that they could misbehave with impunity.

The Economist

Boys misbehave with girls especially after they have had a drink or two.

The Guardian

One must not merely misbehave, one must misbehave with a kind of theatric pathology.

The New York Times - Style

But the everyday parties were more intimate, born of the desire to meet and misbehave with fellow writers and artists.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"No one misbehaved with the women of our village.

The New York Times

U.S. administrations have really misbehaved with our people.

The New York Times

According to police and press reports, the men, who were drunk, began misbehaving with the woman.

The New Yorker

You'll know when you're misbehaving with one single glance.

The Guardian

Or if a celebrity is misbehaving with a date, as Mr. Palmer said he and a few cooks observed on a recent evening.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific instances of inappropriate conduct, use "misbehave with" to directly connect the action to the affected person or group. For instance, "The students were reprimanded for misbehaving with the substitute teacher."

Common error

Avoid using "misbehave with" when you simply mean someone is acting poorly in general. Instead, reserve it for situations where the bad behavior is directly targeted at or involves another person or entity. For general bad behavior use "misbehave" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misbehave with" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing an action. It specifies that the subject is conducting themselves inappropriately in relation to another party. As Ludwig AI points out, the usage is generally correct in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misbehave with" is a verb phrase used to describe inappropriate actions directed towards someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its primary function is to express disapproval of specific actions, and it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in wikis and scientific publications. While a generally neutral phrase, it is important to use it when referring to misbehavior specifically targeting another person or group, rather than general bad behavior. Consider alternatives such as "act improperly towards" or "treat disrespectfully" to adjust the emphasis. Avoid confusing it with general bad behavior. With a source quality score of 84 and an expert rating of 4.1, this phrase holds a well-established and consistently used place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act improperly towards

Focuses on the general action of behaving inappropriately, without specifying the exact nature of the misbehavior.

behave badly towards

Highlights the negative aspect of the behavior, emphasizing its adverse impact on the recipient.

treat disrespectfully

Emphasizes the lack of respect shown in the behavior, indicating a disregard for the other person's feelings or rights.

act out against

Suggests a more rebellious or defiant form of misbehavior, implying resistance to authority or norms.

conduct oneself inappropriately with

A more formal and somewhat clinical way to describe improper behavior, often used in official reports or investigations.

offend

Highlights the result of the action, implying the action caused hurt feelings.

abuse

Implies a more serious and harmful form of misbehavior, often involving power imbalances or exploitation.

harass

Specifically refers to unwanted and offensive behavior that creates a hostile environment.

maltreat

Emphasizes the poor or cruel treatment of someone, often implying neglect or abuse.

handle improperly

Implies a lack of skill or care in dealing with someone or something, often resulting in harm or damage.

FAQs

How can I use "misbehave with" in a sentence?

Use "misbehave with" to describe actions where someone is behaving inappropriately towards another person or group. For example, "The tourists were warned not to "misbehave with" the local residents".

What are some alternatives to saying "misbehave with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "act improperly towards", "treat disrespectfully", or "behave badly towards".

Is it grammatically correct to say "misbehave with"?

Yes, "misbehave with" is grammatically correct when used to describe inappropriate behavior directed towards someone. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

What is the difference between "misbehave" and "misbehave with"?

"Misbehave" refers to general bad behavior, while "misbehave with" specifically indicates that the bad behavior is directed at someone. For example, "The child misbehaved" versus "The child misbehaved with the babysitter".