more badly

USAGE SUMMARY

"more badly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things, to express that one thing is worse than the other, for example: "He sang more badly than before".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much more badly injured.

The Guardian

Other icons of Christchurch were even more badly affected.

Independent

A third car was more badly damaged, it said.

The New York Times

His fatherly advice has never been more badly needed.

The Guardian - Film

And reforms are even more badly needed in poor countries (see article).

The Economist

To the democratic James, no lesson could have been more badly learned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of course the ones left on the beach were much more badly hurt and they died.

Independent

But might a more isolated North Korea behave even more badly?

The Economist

The doctors said the other boy was even more badly injured.

The Guardian

No country would be more badly affected than China if it moved to impede navigation.

The Guardian

"Dozens of my friends and neighbors have been killed, many more badly injured already.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more badly", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context supports the need to emphasize the degree of deficiency or negativity.

Common error

Avoid substituting "more badly" with overly formal or stilted alternatives in casual contexts. Choose synonyms that fit the tone and register of your writing or speech. Consider alternatives like "worse" or "more poorly" for a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more badly" primarily functions as a comparative adverb, modifying verbs or adverbs to indicate a greater degree of inadequacy or poor quality. This is validated by Ludwig AI, where it's deemed correct and usable. It serves to compare the manner in which actions are performed, emphasizing which one is inferior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more badly" functions as a comparative adverb indicating a greater degree of inadequacy or poor quality. As verified by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "more badly" is commonly employed, writers should consider the formality of the context and choose alternatives like "worse" or "more poorly" when appropriate, to achieve greater impact and clarity. The frequency of the expression in reputable sources confirms its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more severely

Emphasizes the intensity or degree of negative impact or consequence.

more poorly

Focuses on the substandard quality or performance of something.

to a greater extent

Highlights the magnitude or scale of the negative aspect.

more deficiently

Stresses the inadequacy or lack of something necessary.

more inadequately

Similar to 'more deficiently' but emphasizing the insufficient nature of the action or state.

in a worse manner

Focuses on the way something is done, implying a negative or undesirable approach.

more unfavorably

Indicates a negative outcome or perception.

with less skill

Highlights a lack of competence or proficiency.

with greater harm

Focuses on the damaging or detrimental consequences.

in a more detrimental way

Highlights the damage or adverse effects caused by something.

FAQs

How can I use "more badly" in a sentence?

Use "more badly" when comparing the degree to which something is done poorly. For example, "He performed "more badly" this time than last time".

Which is correct, "more badly" or "worse"?

Both "more badly" and "worse" can be used, but "worse" is generally considered more concise and natural. The choice depends on context and desired emphasis.

What can I say instead of "more badly"?

You can use alternatives like "more poorly", "more severely", or simply "worse" depending on the context.

Is "more badly" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "more badly" can sound somewhat awkward in formal contexts. Consider using stronger or more precise alternatives for greater impact and clarity. Terms like "more ineffectively", "more ineptly", or "more poorly" could be considered.