misbehaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misbehaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not behaving properly or is acting out of line, often in a playful or informal context. Example: "The children were misbehaving during the class, making it difficult for the teacher to maintain order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jonathan Blanks, a research associate for the Cato Institute's study of police misconduct, said thanks to Maryland's law enforcement officers' bill of rights, which bans the disclosure of personnel files, "we don't know who is misbehaving" among Baltimore's ranks.

The Guardian

Related: Secret service asks for $8m to build fake White House for training exercises "We do have an element that goes to alcohol" to cope with the stresses of the job, Director Joseph Clancy testified, following the most recent incident in which drunken or apparently drunken secret service agents were observed misbehaving in public.

The Guardian

Only an EU that can credibly enforce fiscal as well as political and legal standards will survive in the long run – and that credibility will require a realistic scenario for what can happen to misbehaving member states.

The Guardian - Opinion

The misbehaving new SNP MPs, branded "goons" by Gerald Kaufman, have been making me giggle.

The Guardian - Opinion

The days when Powell and her peers either paid for private surgery on misbehaving knees or ankles or faced often lengthy waits before NHS operations are over.

The Guardian - Sport

In the field of AIDS research, a couple is deemed discordant when one partner is infected with HIV whereas the other is not.In this section Cosmic mood-swings Down the rabbit hole Ain't misbehaving The not-so-fair sex ReprintsThe orthodox view would have predicted that when a couple is discordant, it is more often the man than the woman who is infected.

The Economist

Olympus, the old guard points out, actually had three external directors; that didn't stop its management from misbehaving.

The Economist

Others have pointed to professional bodies representing doctors and lawyers, which can strike off misbehaving members.

The Economist

Their paper in July's edition of the Journal of Animal Ecology shows that for marmots, at least, a bit on the side can help a female's evolutionary chances no end.In this section Cosmic mood-swings Down the rabbit hole Ain't misbehaving The not-so-fair sex ReprintsThe marmots in question live in the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve in the French Alps.

The Economist

The crisis should help in two ways: misbehaving countries may find the EU's prescriptions less fearsome than the markets, and they will face greater peer pressure from those fearing contagion.Survival firstFirst, though, the euro must survive the storm.

The Economist

The logic is that of deterrence: stop misbehaving, or we will attack you.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, specify who or what is "misbehaving" for clarity. E.g., "The students were misbehaving" rather than just "Misbehaving occurred."

Common error

Avoid using "misbehaving" as a vague catch-all. Be specific about the nature of the misbehavior for more effective communication. Describe the specific problematic behaviors instead of simply labeling them as misbehaving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misbehaving" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, often used to describe an ongoing action or state. It modifies nouns or pronouns, indicating that someone or something is currently not behaving according to established norms or expectations, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

10%

Independent

10%

Less common in

The Guardian

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "misbehaving" is a versatile present participle functioning to describe deviations from expected conduct, Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and very common usage across various contexts. It is suitable for neutral register, appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Independent sources. To enhance clarity and prevent vagueness, it's important to specify who or what is "misbehaving" and to provide specific details about the nature of the misbehavior. While "misbehaving" is widely accepted, alternatives like "acting improperly" or "behaving badly" can be used for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behaving badly

A straightforward and common way to describe poor conduct.

acting improperly

Emphasizes a violation of rules or expected standards of behavior.

acting up

Suggests restless or disruptive behavior, often used for children.

being naughty

Implies minor misbehavior, often in a playful or teasing manner.

conducting oneself poorly

Highlights the manner in which someone is behaving, with a focus on negative conduct.

defying authority

Specifically indicates resistance or disobedience towards those in charge.

creating mischief

Focuses on the playful or troublesome nature of the misbehavior.

violating norms

Highlights the breaking of social rules or expectations.

engaging in misconduct

Emphasizes serious or professional wrongdoing.

being disorderly

Suggests a lack of order or control in behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "misbehaving" in a sentence?

You can use "misbehaving" to describe someone or something that is not behaving properly. For example, "The children were "misbehaving" during the class, making it difficult for the teacher to maintain order."

What can I say instead of "misbehaving"?

You can use alternatives like "acting improperly", "behaving badly", or "acting up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "misbehaving" or "bad behaving"?

"Misbehaving" is the correct term. "Bad behaving" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "misbehaving" and "being disobedient"?

"Misbehaving" is a general term for not behaving properly, while "being disobedient" specifically implies not following rules or commands.