perverse incentives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perverse incentives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where a system or policy unintentionally encourages undesirable behavior. Example: "The new bonus structure created perverse incentives, leading employees to prioritize short-term gains over long-term success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Consider the perverse incentives.

Independent

The perverse incentives of lenders.

The Economist

First, it creates perverse incentives.

The New York Times

This system has created perverse incentives.

The New York Times

It does, however, create perverse incentives.

The Economist

Indeed, such holidays can create perverse incentives.

The New York Times

The system is awash with perverse incentives.

The Economist

But it can also lead to perverse incentives.

The Economist

These perverse incentives are addressed, faintly, by Obamacare.

The Economist

Its saps presidents of authority and creates perverse incentives.

Independent

In part, that's because bureaucrats operate with perverse incentives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing policy or system design, clearly identify the specific behavior the "perverse incentives" encourage. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid attributing malicious intent to those who benefit from "perverse incentives". Focus on how the system unintentionally rewards undesirable actions, rather than assuming deliberate wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perverse incentives" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing situations where policies or systems unintentionally encourage undesirable behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perverse incentives" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term that describes situations where incentives lead to undesirable or unintended consequences. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's frequently employed in news, business, and academic contexts. The term is versatile, allowing for critique of systems and policies across many domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, offering alternative phrases like "counterproductive incentives" to refine the message. When using the term, it is important to focus on how the system unintentionally rewards the actions instead of assuming that there is a malicious intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counterproductive incentives

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness and negative impact of the incentives.

misguided incentives

Highlights the flawed reasoning or planning behind the incentives.

unintended consequences of incentives

Focuses on the unexpected and often negative results of the incentives.

dysfunctional incentives

Stresses the impaired or abnormal functioning of the incentive system.

poorly designed incentives

Highlights flaws in the structure and planning of incentives, leading to undesirable outcomes.

maladaptive incentives

Focuses on the incentives' failure to promote adaptation or positive change.

incentives with adverse effects

Highlights the negative and harmful outcomes caused by the incentives.

distorted incentives

Emphasizes the incentives causing imbalance or deviation from expected behavior.

negative incentives

Focuses on incentives that drive harmful outcomes.

incentives backfiring

Emphasizes the reversal of the intended effect of the incentives.

FAQs

How can I use "perverse incentives" in a sentence?

You can use "perverse incentives" to describe situations where a system unintentionally creates incentives for undesirable behavior. For example, "The policy created "perverse incentives" for companies to prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability."

What's a simpler way to say "perverse incentives"?

Alternatives include "counterproductive incentives", "misguided incentives", or "unintended consequences of incentives", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some examples of "perverse incentives" in economics?

Examples include government subsidies that encourage overproduction, or compensation structures that reward excessive risk-taking. These can create "perverse incentives" that undermine the intended goals.

How do "perverse incentives" differ from simply "bad incentives"?

"Bad incentives" might simply be ineffective, while "perverse incentives" actively encourage negative or unintended consequences. The "perverse incentives" create a situation where doing the wrong thing is incentivized.