poor behavior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor behavior" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or conduct that is considered unacceptable or inappropriate. Example: "The teacher addressed the students about their poor behavior during the field trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still, that doesn't excuse poor behavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

Skeptics have insisted Walker is simply refusing to accept responsibility for poor behavior.

The New York Times - Sports

But no one thought the players' poor behavior in any way reflected Cheeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, they seem to regard shrinking as poor behavior on his part.

The New York Times

But 400 years of poor behavior on the part of humans have ruined all that.

The New York Times

Whatever poor behavior and judgment Roethlisberger exhibited did not, in all likelihood, begin the day he was drafted.

The New York Times - Sports

I cannot imagine they would wish to spoil their son's day with a display of poor behavior.

The New York Times

But the Human Rights Division said its investigation determined that Mr. Mahlke's termination was based on his "poor behavior and performance".

The New York Times

The players know they embarrassed themselves and their country with poor play on the ice and poor behavior off it, particularly with vandalism in the Olympic Village.

The New York Times - Sports

Worried about poor behavior, officials used radio ads to warn against spitting, bothering women passengers or bringing heavy bags aboard the trains.

The New York Times

It took ten years, and a ton of quite useful scrutiny — and mockery of our own poor behavior — to pull back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "poor behavior", be specific about the actions or conduct that constitute the undesirable behavior to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "poor behavior" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples. This can lead to misunderstandings and fail to address the root causes of the behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor behavior" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "behavior". It describes the quality of actions or conduct as being substandard or unacceptable. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from academic to everyday situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor behavior" is a widely used phrase to describe unacceptable or inappropriate conduct. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in contexts such as news, general discussions, and scientific publications. While it is generally neutral, being specific about the actions constituting "poor behavior" ensures clarity. Consider alternatives like "bad conduct" or "inappropriate actions" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase's prevalence underscores its importance in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad conduct

Focuses more on the moral aspect of the behavior.

misconduct

Implies a violation of established rules or norms.

inappropriate actions

Highlights the unsuitability of the actions in a given context.

unacceptable behavior

Emphasizes the lack of acceptance or tolerance for the behavior.

improper conduct

Similar to misconduct, but can also imply a lack of etiquette.

errant ways

Suggests a deviation from correct or expected paths of behavior, often used in a moral or ethical context.

negative actions

Describes actions that have an undesirable or harmful effect.

unruly actions

Highlights lack of discipline or control.

deficient behavior

Focuses on the lack of expected or required behavior.

reprehensible conduct

Emphasizes the deserving of criticism or condemnation.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "poor behavior"?

You can use alternatives like "bad conduct", "misconduct", or "inappropriate actions" depending on the context.

How can I use "poor behavior" in a sentence?

You can say, "The student's "poor behavior" in class disrupted the lesson" or "The company addressed the "poor behavior" of some employees at the conference."

Is "poor behavior" a formal or informal term?

"Poor behavior" is generally considered a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "improper conduct" may be preferred in certain situations.

What is the difference between "poor behavior" and "bad behavior"?

While both terms are similar, "bad behavior" often implies a moral judgment, while "poor behavior" can simply indicate that the behavior is ineffective or inappropriate without necessarily being morally wrong. However, they are often interchangeable in everyday use.