rotten fruit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rotten fruit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe fruit that has decayed or spoiled, or metaphorically to refer to something that is undesirable or corrupt. Example: "The market was filled with rotten fruit, making it clear that the vendor was not maintaining proper standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rotten fruit.

The New York Times

The tumor is rotten fruit, graying at the edges.

The New York Times - Books

The other goes down in a hail of rotten fruit.

The Guardian - Film

Growers would dispose of damaged and rotten fruit by making wine with heavy doses of sugar.

The New York Times - Food

Today that degeneracy produced the rotten fruit of a failed bailout.

The New Yorker

If they wanted to throw rotten fruit, they could have done.

The Guardian

The stuff that passes through the days: empty food cans, old batteries, rotten fruit and notepaper.

The New Yorker

The comments section below is a good place to throw metaphorical rotten fruit.

The Guardian - Opinion

In swept the stench of rotten fruit, burnt oil, soap, and urine.

The New Yorker

Hundreds were waiting in Genoa, armed with enough rotten fruit to go around.

The Guardian - Sport

Send them home now and get the rotten fruit and pitchforks ready.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rotten fruit" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning. For example, "The failed policy was the rotten fruit of poor planning."

Common error

Avoid using "rotten fruit" metaphorically in contexts where it might be misinterpreted as a literal reference to spoiled food. Provide sufficient context to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rotten fruit" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "rotten" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "fruit". It describes the state or condition of the fruit. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rotten fruit" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes decaying fruit or, metaphorically, something corrupt or undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and finds broad usage in various contexts, including News & Media and Science. It's essential to provide context when using it metaphorically to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "spoiled fruit" or "decayed fruit" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoiled fruit

Replaces "rotten" with a synonym, maintaining the original meaning.

decayed fruit

Uses a different adjective to describe the state of the fruit, indicating decomposition.

decomposed fruit

Emphasizes the advanced stage of decay in the fruit.

bad fruit

Offers a more general term for fruit that is not good to eat.

overripe fruit

Indicates fruit that has passed its prime and is starting to spoil.

unwholesome fruit

Suggests that the fruit is not healthy or safe to consume.

contaminated fruit

Highlights the presence of harmful substances in the fruit.

tainted fruit

Implies that the fruit has been corrupted or spoiled.

diseased fruit

Indicates that the fruit is affected by a disease or illness.

rancid fruit

Suggests a strong, unpleasant smell or taste in the spoiled fruit.

FAQs

How can I use "rotten fruit" in a sentence?

You can use "rotten fruit" to describe fruit that is no longer edible due to decay, or metaphorically to represent something undesirable or corrupt. For example: "The market was filled with "rotten fruit", indicating poor quality control."

What are some alternatives to saying "rotten fruit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "spoiled fruit", "decayed fruit", or "overripe fruit".

When is it appropriate to use "rotten fruit" metaphorically?

It is appropriate to use "rotten fruit" metaphorically when you want to describe something as corrupt, undesirable, or the negative outcome of something else. Example: "The scandal was the "rotten fruit" of years of mismanagement."

Is it better to say "rotten fruit" or "spoiled fruit"?

Both "rotten fruit" and "spoiled fruit" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Rotten" often implies a more advanced stage of decay compared to "spoiled".