pernicious attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pernicious attitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harmful or destructive mindset or belief that negatively affects individuals or groups. Example: "The pernicious attitude towards mental health in our society often prevents people from seeking the help they need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Mama June," as she is also known, began her unlikely rise to the reality television equivalent of stardom by managing to be even more off-putting than her fellow outlandish pageant moms on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras, an exploitative cringefest best known for its pernicious attitude toward prepubescent sexuality and normalizing the ingestion of energy drinks by children.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Most importantly, the survey will, we hope, begin conversations among governments, scholars, NGOs and others around the world on the whys and wherefores of attitudes toward Jews, and lead to new initiatives to counteract these pernicious attitudes.

Huffington Post

Finally, then, in symbolic demonstration of disgust at the persistence of pernicious political attitudes in Germany he relinquished his German citizenship, and, having earlier moved across the border to University of Basel, he became a Swiss national.

SEP

To call this attitude pernicious, small-minded and contradictory is merely to state the obvious, but it does have a long pedigree.Around 150 years ago, another Mississippian said, "all we ask is to be let alone".

The Economist

It is easier to point fingers at the most pernicious of contemporary attitudes than to acknowledge the complicity of even well-intentioned individuals in the perpetuation of injustice.

Huffington Post

When a fellow drinker suggests the best time to pick up women is when they are too drunk to know what they're doing, Baggini shakes his head, worrying that "sometimes it seems that I am the only person in the country who thinks this kind of attitude is pernicious".

The Guardian - Books

Never mind pernicious, long-standing cultural attitudes about gender, race and sexuality, climate change denial alone should teach us that even good science can't triumph over bad policy without a sustained fight.

Huffington Post

He gave the word many meanings, but essentially he used it to identify convention in all its guises — rigid manners, standardized attitudes, and, most pernicious, preconceptions about artistic genre or style.

The New Yorker

But in cinema, that most affecting of global exports, such an attitude can feel especially pernicious if it gets into the wrong hands.

The Guardian - Opinion

The context-shift is less obvious, and hence more pernicious, claims Richard, in the case of propositional attitude verbs.

SEP

She is particularly incisive on underlying sexist attitudes that perpetuate this inequality, which manifest in such pernicious developments as the normalisation of pornography.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "attitude" with a more specific noun if the context allows. For example, "pernicious belief" or "pernicious influence" could be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "pernicious attitude" in informal settings. The term carries a formal and somewhat severe tone, making it unsuitable for casual conversation or light-hearted writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pernicious attitude" functions as a noun phrase where "pernicious" modifies "attitude". Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase to describe a harmful or destructive mindset. Examples show its use in various contexts to highlight negative impacts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pernicious attitude" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a subtly harmful mindset. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase. While relatively rare, it appears in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a formal register. Related phrases like "harmful mindset" or "destructive mentality" offer alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. When using "pernicious attitude", emphasize the insidious and eroding nature of the attitude in question. Avoid overuse in casual settings to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful mindset

Replaces "pernicious" with a more common synonym and "attitude" with a related term.

detrimental outlook

Uses synonyms for both "pernicious" and "attitude", altering the tone slightly.

destructive mentality

Emphasizes the destructive nature of the attitude.

toxic perspective

Uses a more metaphorical term ("toxic") to describe the harmful attitude.

damaging viewpoint

Focuses on the damage caused by the attitude.

corrosive disposition

Emphasizes the gradual, eroding effect of the attitude.

malignant frame of mind

Uses a more formal and severe term ("malignant") for "pernicious".

vicious way of thinking

Highlights the cruelty associated with the attitude.

baneful belief

Focuses specifically on a harmful belief rather than a general attitude.

ruinous ideology

Implies a more systematic and widespread harmful belief system.

FAQs

How can I use "pernicious attitude" in a sentence?

You can use "pernicious attitude" to describe a harmful or destructive mindset. For example: "The "pernicious attitude" toward failure prevented the team from taking necessary risks".

What are some alternatives to "pernicious attitude"?

Some alternatives include "harmful mindset", "detrimental outlook", or "destructive mentality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pernicious attitude" a formal or informal expression?

"Pernicious attitude" is a relatively formal expression, best suited for academic, news, or professional contexts.

What makes an attitude "pernicious"?

A "pernicious" attitude is one that is subtly harmful or destructive, often in a way that is not immediately obvious. It implies a gradual and insidious negative effect.