pessimistic attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

"pessimistic attitude" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a negative or pessimistic outlook or mindset. Example: Despite the promising circumstances, Jane's pessimistic attitude caused her to doubt the success of the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Gina McCarthy says having a pessimistic attitude about the environment is counterproductive.

Harvard University

"You can't have a pessimistic attitude and you can't let that get to you.

The Guardian - Money

"Most people are just annoyed, rolling their eyes with a pessimistic attitude, like how could this even happen?" said Chris Monfort, a food-delivery man from the Bywater neighborhood.

The New York Times

As the two go about their respective days — the boy with his green froggy hat and cheery disposition, the man with his pessimistic attitude — their moods are reflected in their environments and in the faces of the people they encounter.

The New York Times - Books

An original qualitative evaluation method, taking into account the decision makers' optimistic or pessimistic attitude, and combining a preferences model on the criteria is proposed for the purpose of highlighting the most promising alternative system design solutions.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

The message of that particular myth is that "a child cannot be kept from his fate, though this does not stop the gods from trying" – a pessimistic attitude that could tempt us not to bother with immunisation at all.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We utilize four point operators to readily estimate the adaptational outcome expectancies generated by optimistic and pessimistic attitudes.

Applied Soft Computing

The parking search process is modeled using a sequential game-theoretic, neo-additive capacity model which accounts for drivers optimistic and pessimistic attitudes regarding parking availability in their most desirable lot.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

In addition to a steep drop in their assessment of Obama, the poll also found very stable and pessimistic attitudes about Arab-Israeli conflicts.

Forbes

The complexity of our lives stretches far beyond outdated pessimistic attitudes and overly-simplistic expressions which add nothing to our days.

Huffington Post

"In terms of our explanation for the pessimistic attitudes of particular groups... We're attributing this to structural disadvantages, exposure to neighborhood poverty and family poverty, exposure to violence," Warner said.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's personality, using "pessimistic attitude" can provide a clear and concise way to convey their tendency to expect negative outcomes.

Common error

While "pessimistic attitude" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Try using synonyms like "negative outlook" or "cynical perspective" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pessimistic attitude" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a person's outlook or disposition. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing how it is used to characterize behavior and reactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pessimistic attitude" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a negative outlook. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While versatile, varying your vocabulary with phrases such as "negative outlook" or "cynical perspective" will enrich your writing style. When using the term, understanding that a "pessimistic attitude" can stem from several psychological and environmental factors and its expression is used in multiple contexts ranging from describing personal traits to assessing business situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative outlook

Focuses on the negative aspect of one's view.

defeatist mindset

Emphasizes a tendency to expect failure and give up easily.

gloomy disposition

Highlights a consistently unhappy and discouraged nature.

cynical perspective

Stresses a distrust of others' motives and a general skepticism.

downbeat mood

Indicates a temporary state of low spirits and negativity.

bleak view

Highlights a particularly discouraging vision of the future.

negative frame of mind

Focuses on the mindset and its influence on interpreting situations.

lack of optimism

Points out the absence of positive expectations.

hopeless outlook

Suggests a feeling that there is no chance for improvement.

darkened perspective

Implies a perception colored by sadness and despair.

FAQs

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

You can use "pessimistic attitude" to describe someone's general outlook or their reaction to a specific event. For example, "Despite the positive news, he maintained a "pessimistic attitude"."

What are some alternatives to "pessimistic attitude"?

Alternatives include "negative outlook", "cynical perspective", or "defeatist mindset", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to describe someone as having a "pessimistic attitude" or being "pessimistic"?

Both are correct, but "pessimistic attitude" emphasizes the mindset, while "pessimistic" describes a general characteristic. Using "pessimistic attitude" can provide more context.

What causes a "pessimistic attitude"?

A "pessimistic attitude" can stem from various factors, including past experiences, personal beliefs, and even mental health conditions. Recognizing these underlying causes can be key to shifting such outlook.