set a negative example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a negative example" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing behavior that serves as a poor model for others to follow, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "By consistently arriving late to meetings, he sets a negative example for the rest of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Network ties may serve as potential sources of stress or can set a negative example and/or promote unhealthy behaviours.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whenever a particular training set contained negative examples only, an LVQ system could not be determined and the naive prediction was used, instead.

Bioinformatics

A set of negative example sequences was created by extracting all metazoan sequences without peroxisomal association from the Swiss-Prot section of UniProt (http://www.uniprot.org) in November 2011.

eLife

Hitler set a bad example.

Independent

Set a leaders' example.

The Guardian - Sport

Set a good example.

Huffington Post

Set a proper example.

WikiHow

Set a positive example.

WikiHow

Tolerance rough set theory is used to approximate concepts existed in documents and extract an initial set of negative example.

Expert Systems with Applications

In the acute renal failure data set, negative examples were already in majority in the training model without set expansion.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

In this iteration process, a set of classifier, C S and corresponding set of negative example set, N S are obtained.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a negative example", consider the specific context and ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the idea of someone's actions serving as a poor model for others. Be mindful of the audience and the overall tone of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "set a negative example" in situations where more direct language would be more appropriate. In many cases, simply stating that someone's behavior is "bad" or "inappropriate" can be more effective than relying on this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a negative example" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes an action that provides a poor model for others to follow, implying a negative consequence due to the behavior exhibited. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a negative example" is used to describe actions that serve as a poor model for others. While grammatically sound, it's relatively rare, and Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can be used across multiple contexts, including science, news and media, and wiki contexts, but one should be aware that it's a more formal and less frequent option than other alternatives as "set a bad example".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a bad example

Nearly identical; slightly more common usage.

provide a bad example

Emphasizes the act of giving a poor illustration.

demonstrate undesirable behavior

Focuses on the action of showing inappropriate conduct.

set a poor precedent

Highlights the creation of an undesirable standard for future actions.

exhibit bad leadership

Specifically refers to negative examples within a leadership role.

model inappropriate actions

Focuses on the act of showing actions that shouldn't be copied.

give a negative lesson

Emphasizes the learning aspect of observing bad behavior.

set the wrong tone

Focuses on creating a negative atmosphere or impression.

behave inappropriately

General term for acting in an unsuitable manner.

offer a cautionary tale

Refers to providing a warning through a negative experience.

FAQs

How can I use "set a negative example" in a sentence?

You can use "set a negative example" to describe someone whose behavior is a poor model for others. For instance, "By consistently arriving late, he "sets a negative example" for the team."

What's the difference between "set a negative example" and "set a bad example"?

The phrases "set a negative example" and "set a bad example" are nearly interchangeable. "Bad" is slightly more common in everyday speech, while "negative" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What are some synonyms for "set a negative example"?

Alternatives include "provide a bad example", "demonstrate undesirable behavior", or "set a poor precedent" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "set a negative example"?

While grammatically correct, "set a negative example" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider the context and your audience when choosing this phrase; simpler alternatives might be more effective in certain situations.