portends badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "portends badly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is likely to lead to negative outcomes or consequences. Example: "The sudden drop in sales portends badly for the company's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although these self-sufficient folk make up only ten per cent of the study's sample population, their influence should not be underestimated; Hetherington points out that they may be "a harbinger of things to come," given the divorce rate, the general delay in marriage, and the steep rise in cohabitation (a living arrangement that portends badly for an enduring marriage).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Galicia has in many ways been a model for Mr. Rajoy's austerity program, and a loss here would portend badly for its already waning acceptance in the rest of Spain.

The New York Times

That would portend badly for New England, no matter how much Charles P. Pierce of Grantland.com tries to convince you to appreciate Bill Belichick as the N.F.L.'s last great anarchist.

The New York Times

In a separate report, filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, which is the lone holdout from the antitrust settlement, stated that its investigations "portend badly for the efficacy of the Nov. 1, 2002, judgment".

The New York Times

The administration has rejected requests from Indiana and other states to require Medicaid enrollees to be employed or actively seeking work and requests for greater cost-sharing, which could portend badly for Bevin's plan.

Huffington Post

We were fully expecting a classic Florida wild child, flush with cash and fame, and behaving as badly and babylike as her stage name portends.

Vice

This portends other changes.

The New Yorker

That portends a favorable November.

The Washington Post

Badly damaged.

Yale University

Sometimes an astronomical advance portends a flop.

The New York Times

His dream, he worries, portends worse times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "portends badly" when you want to emphasize that current events or conditions strongly suggest a negative future outcome. It adds a sense of foreboding and inevitability.

Common error

Avoid using "portend" without an adverb like "badly" if you intend to convey a negative forecast. "Portend" alone simply means to foreshadow, not necessarily negatively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "portends badly" functions as a commentary on a situation, indicating that it suggests a negative or unfavorable future outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "portends badly" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something suggests a negative future outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase. While not frequently used, it appears mainly in news and academic contexts. Related phrases include "bodes ill" and "augurs poorly". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates an unfavorable future. Avoid using "portend" in isolation without an adverb when you want to convey a negative prediction. Overall, understanding its nuances ensures effective communication in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bodes ill

Emphasizes the unfavorable nature of future events.

augurs poorly

Highlights the unpromising signs for the future.

foreshadows negatively

Focuses on the premonitory aspect of an impending negative outcome.

indicates trouble

Directly points to forthcoming problems.

spells disaster

Suggests a severe and calamitous outcome.

signals difficulty

Highlights that future challenges are on the horizon.

projects failure

Emphasizes the likelihood of an unsuccessful result.

suggests misfortune

Indicates future bad luck or adversity.

implies adversity

Hints at hardship or suffering in the future.

promises hardship

Clearly states that tough times are likely to occur.

FAQs

What does "portends badly" mean?

"Portends badly" means that something is a sign or warning of a negative future event or outcome.

How can I use "portends badly" in a sentence?

You can use "portends badly" to describe situations where current events suggest a negative future, such as, "The economic downturn "portends badly" for small businesses".

Are there synonyms for "portends badly"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "bodes ill", "augurs poorly", or "foreshadows negatively" as alternatives to "portends badly".

Is "portends well" the opposite of "portends badly"?

Yes, "portends well" is the opposite of "portends badly", meaning something indicates a positive future outcome.