my bad

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence 'My bad' is not considered correct or proper English, and should not be used in written English.
It is considered casual slang, so it is more appropriate to use this phrase in informal settings such as conversation. For example: Person 1: Sorry, I forgot to email you the report. Person 2: No worries, my bad.

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My bad.

The New York Times

My bad".

The Guardian - Sport

STAFFER 1: My bad.

The New Yorker

Man: Oh, my bad.

The New Yorker

That was my bad".

Independent

"My bad," Ambrose said.

The New York Times

UPDATE: My bad.

The New York Times

Sorry, my bad.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

My bad words best collection.

The New Yorker

That's my bad.

The Guardian - Books

Translation: (US) My bad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my bad", ensure the context is clear and the mistake is easily understood to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "my bad" in formal emails, reports, or presentations. Opt for more professional phrases like "I apologize" or "I take responsibility".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "my bad" is as an interjection. It serves to express immediate acknowledgement and acceptance of responsibility for a mistake. Ludwig shows it's used to quickly admit fault in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my bad" is a very common, informal interjection used to admit fault or acknowledge a mistake. Ludwig AI indicates that while not grammatically incorrect, it is best suited for casual settings and should be avoided in formal communication. More appropriate alternatives for formal situations include ""my fault"" or ""I apologize"". While acceptable for informal communications, its casual nature might be inappropriate in professional contexts. The phrase is quite prevalent in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my fault

This is a more straightforward and generally acceptable alternative to "my bad".

I messed up

An informal way of admitting a mistake, similar in register to "my bad".

I was wrong

A direct admission of error.

it was my mistake

Clearly states that the error belonged to the speaker.

mea culpa

A Latin phrase that translates to "my fault", often used in more formal contexts.

I apologize

A formal expression of regret.

I take responsibility

Emphasizes acceptance of blame.

pardon me

A polite way of acknowledging a minor error or offense.

excuse me

Similar to "pardon me" but can also be used to get someone's attention.

I didn't mean to do that

Implies unintentionality in causing the error.

FAQs

What does "my bad" mean?

"My bad" is an informal expression that means "my fault" or "I made a mistake".

When is it appropriate to use "my bad"?

It's appropriate to use "my bad" in casual conversations with friends or colleagues. Avoid using it in formal settings or when addressing superiors.

What are some alternatives to saying "my bad"?

You can use alternatives like "my fault", "I apologize", or "I was wrong" depending on the context.

Is "my bad" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "my bad" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's an informal expression, so use it accordingly.