pernicious trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pernicious trend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harmful or destructive pattern or tendency that is gradually becoming more prevalent. Example: "The rise of misinformation on social media is a pernicious trend that threatens the integrity of public discourse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Regardless of the merits of its position, many of the arguments that have been marshaled at Apple's feet in recent weeks set a dangerous, potentially pernicious trend.

The Guardian - Tech

This, of course, brings us to Pernicious Trend No. 2: the insistence on casting movie, television or pop names in Broadway shows, regardless of their appropriateness for the role.

The New York Times

Nor should they, though the champions really ought to be taken to task for encouraging the pernicious trend of cardboard clapper-clacking that assails eardrums at too many grounds.

The Guardian - Sport

Which leads to the question: why was such a pernicious trend ignored at a national level for so long?

Vice

And then, I realized, his pernicious trend was the fact that more parents are making their own baby food.

Huffington Post

Congressman Ryan favors the repeal of Dodd-Frank, a misguided government overreach into the private sector that further enshrines the pernicious trend of crony capitalism.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Evita 2.0" illustrates two pernicious trends in regard to Broadway today.

The New York Times

Baseball aficionados might conclude that all of this points to some pernicious new trend in the market for top players.

The New York Times

"Natural Selection" has some funny jokes, and it handily takes the festival prize for sheer ambition in its desire to envision where various pernicious cultural trends will lead us, but as serious topical satire, it is mostly obvious and jejune.

The New York Times

Which is more than can be said for that truly pernicious modern publishing trend whereby big-name authors, these days not so much writers but industrial brands, have other people write their books for them.

Independent

What they find especially pernicious about this trend — and here they could be speaking directly about "Maternal Desire" — is that its anti-feminist message is frequently cloaked in feminist terms.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the formality of the situation. While "pernicious" is a strong word, ensure it is appropriate for your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pernicious trend" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Use synonyms or rephrase your sentences to maintain variety and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pernicious trend" functions as a noun phrase, where "pernicious" acts as a qualifying adjective that modifies the noun "trend". Ludwig AI shows that it characterizes a particular direction or pattern with negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pernicious trend" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a gradually harmful or destructive pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While not exceedingly common, it is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly highlights the negative implications of the trend you are describing. Alternatives such as "harmful trend" or "detrimental trend" can be used for variety or to adjust the level of formality. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, while accurate, be cautious of overuse to maintain writing clarity and avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmful trend

Substitutes "pernicious" with a direct synonym indicating damage or injury.

detrimental trend

Uses a more formal synonym of "harmful", suggesting adverse effects.

damaging trend

Focuses on the harm caused by the trend.

undesirable trend

Replaces "pernicious" with a more general term for something unwanted.

destructive trend

Emphasizes the potential for ruin or devastation.

dangerous trend

Indicates the trend poses a risk or threat.

vicious trend

Implies the trend is severe or cruel.

adverse trend

A more formal way of saying negative, suggesting opposition or resistance.

noxious trend

Suggests the trend is harmful, poisonous or very unpleasant.

negative trend

Replaces "pernicious" with a general term for something unfavorable.

FAQs

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

You can use "pernicious trend" to describe a gradually developing pattern that is harmful or destructive. For example, "The spread of misinformation online is a "pernicious trend" that erodes public trust."

What are some alternatives to "pernicious trend"?

Some alternatives include "harmful trend", "detrimental trend", or "dangerous trend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a trend "pernicious"?

A trend is considered "pernicious" if it has a gradually harmful or destructive effect. It often implies a subtle or insidious quality, where the negative consequences may not be immediately obvious.

Is "pernicious trend" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "pernicious trend" leans towards the formal side, as "pernicious" is a relatively uncommon and sophisticated word. It's suitable for academic writing, news articles, or professional reports.