reflects poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

'reflects poorly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an event, situation, or someone's behavior that appears negative or disappointing. For example, "His failure to finish the project on time reflects poorly on his commitment to his work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It reflects poorly on you".

The New York Times

It reflects poorly on both candidates.

The Economist

"It reflects poorly on the organization".

The New York Times

That it has come to this reflects poorly on Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

Either way, it reflects poorly on his leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

That 68percentt reflects poorly on American democracy.

The New York Times

It also reflects poorly on her strategic judgment.

The New Yorker

It reflects poorly not only on them but on us".

The New York Times

"A political stalemate, a persistent deadlock, reflects poorly on all of us".

The New York Times

"It reflects poorly not only on them but on us," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was "sheer carelessness, which reflects poorly on a country with regional leadership ambitions," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reflects poorly", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what is creating the negative impression. Clarity prevents misinterpretation and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "reflects poorly" when the cause of the negative impression is unclear or ambiguous. Always specify what exactly is creating the unfavorable image to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflects poorly" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something has a negative or unfavorable impact on a subject. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in describing situations or actions that create a negative impression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflects poorly" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something creates a negative or unfavorable impression. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional settings. To ensure clarity, specify what is causing the negative reflection. While alternatives like "casts a bad light" or "gives a bad impression" exist, "reflects poorly" remains a direct and effective way to convey criticism or concern about potential damage to reputation or image.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflects unfavorably

Replaces "poorly" with a more formal synonym, "unfavorably".

gives a bad impression

Emphasizes the impression created rather than the reflection.

looks bad on

A more casual and direct way of saying something reflects negatively.

casts a bad light

Uses a more metaphorical expression for creating a negative impression.

doesn't speak well of

Uses a more idiomatic and less direct way of expressing the negative impact.

creates a negative image

Focuses on the creation of a negative perception.

is to someone's discredit

Focuses on damage to someone's reputation.

is detrimental to

Shifts the focus to the damaging effect of something.

does not bode well

Suggests a negative future outcome based on the current situation.

makes a poor showing

Refers to a performance or presentation that is not up to par.

FAQs

How can I use "reflects poorly" in a sentence?

Use "reflects poorly" to indicate that something has a negative impact on someone's or something's reputation or image. For example, "The company's handling of the crisis "reflects poorly" on its leadership".

What are some alternatives to saying "reflects poorly"?

You can use alternatives such as "casts a bad light", "reflects unfavorably", or "gives a bad impression" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reflects poorly on" or "reflects bad on"?

"Reflects poorly on" is grammatically correct and more formal. "Reflects bad on" is less common and may be considered informal or incorrect in formal writing. The better option is "reflects poorly on".

What does it mean when something "reflects poorly" on a person or organization?

When something ""reflects poorly"" on a person or organization, it means that it creates a negative or unfavorable impression, potentially damaging their reputation or image.