reflect negatively on

USAGE SUMMARY

"reflect negatively on" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe how someone's actions have a negative influence on the way they are perceived by other people. For example: "John's decision to break his promises to his colleagues reflected negatively on his reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, the actions of a few bad ones reflect negatively on all of us," he says.

Forbes

Here are the figures: Chris Keates, general secretary of teachers' union the NASUWT, said the trend is not a new one and did not reflect negatively on particular regions.

Independent

Did the candidate's behavior ever reflect negatively on the organization?

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Diina said the recent arrests should not reflect negatively on the rest of the department.

The New York Times

Could that reflect negatively on you when you interview for jobs in your industry?

The New York Times

Please note that it will not reflect negatively on applicants if they choose not to submit a portfolio.

University of California, Berkeley

"I'm a little surprised at how much traction it is getting, and I do believe it is beginning to reflect negatively on Senator Obama's campaign," Ms. Macoll said.

The New York Times

He said that if users send Agentura materials that reflect negatively on the Russian secret services, the site will not post them.

The New York Times - Tech

In this White House, it is considered disloyal for anyone to allow information to seep out that could reflect negatively on the president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Skipping jury service reflects negatively on one's character - especially if you have the financial means and power to sacrifice a day or two for your community.

Huffington Post

A DA who refuses to prosecute bad cops isn't doing the overall force any favors either: by lumping all cops together and placing them above the law, not prosecuting bad cops also reflects negatively on all the good ones, by far the huge majority of our public safety officers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reflect negatively on", ensure the subject clearly influences or impacts the object being reflected upon. Clarity strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "reflect negatively on" when the subject does not directly cause a negative perception of the object. Overusing it weakens its intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflect negatively on" acts as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject's actions or attributes have a detrimental impact on the perception or reputation of something else. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to show a negative influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflect negatively on" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a detrimental impact on the perception or reputation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. It's important to use this phrase when the subject directly causes a negative perception of the object. Be mindful of potential misuse by avoiding it when there's no direct causation. Remember there are great alternative phrases such as "cast a bad light on" or "reflect poorly on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflect poorly on

This phrase is a direct synonym, substituting "negatively" with "poorly" to maintain the same meaning.

cast a bad light on

This alternative uses more figurative language to convey a similar meaning of causing something to appear unfavorable.

impact adversely on

This phrase uses more formal language, emphasizing the negative impact or influence.

have a detrimental effect on

This alternative focuses on the harmful outcome rather than the reflection of an image.

give a bad impression of

This option highlights the impression created rather than the direct impact or effect.

tarnish the image of

This phrase focuses on damaging the reputation or public perception of something.

detract from

This alternative suggests a reduction in value or quality, leading to a negative perception.

undermine the credibility of

This option emphasizes the weakening of trust or believability.

compromise the integrity of

This alternative highlights the damage to moral principles or ethical standards.

be to the detriment of

This option emphasizes that the consequences were harmful for the action.

FAQs

How can I use "reflect negatively on" in a sentence?

Use "reflect negatively on" to describe how someone's actions have a negative influence on their, or something else's, perception by others. For example, "The scandal could "reflect negatively on" the company's reputation".

What are some alternatives to "reflect negatively on"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "cast a bad light on", "reflect poorly on", or "have a detrimental effect on", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to use "reflect negatively on" or "reflect badly on"?

Both ""reflect negatively on"" and "reflect badly on" are grammatically correct. "Reflect negatively on" is generally considered more formal, while "reflect badly on" is more informal.

What's the difference between "reflect negatively on" and simply "affect"?

"Affect" means to have an influence on something. "Reflect negatively on" implies that something's actions or qualities are perceived to cause harm or damage to something else's reputation or image. The key difference lies in the specific type of influence.