that's not good

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's not good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations to express dissatisfaction, disappointment, or concern. Example: "I just received my test results and they're not good. I only got a C+."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two injuries that's not good".

The Guardian - Sport

Oh, my God, that's not good news".

The New York Times - Sports

"Obviously that's not good.

Independent

That's not good enough.

The New York Times

That's not good policy".

The New York Times

That's not good basketball".

The New York Times - Sports

"That's not good either".

The Guardian - Music

That's not good, right?

The New Yorker

"That's not good," Arena said.

The New York Times

"That's not good or bad.

The New York Times

But that's not good enough.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's not good" to express mild disappointment or concern in everyday conversations. It's suitable when the situation isn't dire but warrants a negative acknowledgement.

Common error

Avoid using "that's not good" repeatedly in close succession. Vary your expressions to convey nuanced levels of concern or disappointment, using alternatives like "that's unfortunate" or "that's concerning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's not good" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative assessment or judgment about a situation, event, or piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Its purpose is to convey concern, disappointment, or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that's not good" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disappointment, concern, or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian support its widespread usage across News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings.

While versatile, it is important to consider the context and audience. In more formal situations, alternatives like "that's unfortunate" or "that's not ideal" may be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can also make your communication sound repetitive, so varying your expressions is recommended.

Overall, "that's not good" is a valuable part of the English lexicon for expressing negative evaluations in a clear and accessible manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's unfortunate

Emphasizes the regrettable nature of a situation, focusing on bad luck.

that's not ideal

Indicates something is less than perfect or desirable, but not necessarily terrible.

that's not positive

Directly states the absence of a favorable outcome.

that's a problem

Highlights an issue that needs attention or resolution.

that's worrying

Expresses concern or anxiety about a situation's potential consequences.

that's concerning

Similar to 'worrying' but can also imply a need for further investigation.

that's not great

A more casual way to express mild disappointment or disapproval.

that's suboptimal

A more formal way to say something is less than the best possible outcome.

that's a shame

Expresses regret or disappointment over an unfortunate situation.

that's regrettable

Indicates that something is unfortunate and worthy of regret.

FAQs

How can I use "that's not good" in a sentence?

You can use "that's not good" to express concern or disappointment about a situation. For example, "The doctor said my test results came back, and "that's not good"".

What are some alternatives to saying "that's not good"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "that's unfortunate", "that's not ideal", or "that's concerning" to express a similar sentiment.

When is it appropriate to use "that's not good"?

"That's not good" is appropriate in informal settings when you want to express a negative reaction to news or a situation. It's generally suitable for expressing mild disappointment or concern.

Is "that's not good" too informal for professional communication?

In formal or professional contexts, it may be better to use alternatives like "that's suboptimal" or "that's not ideal" to maintain a more professional tone. "That's not good" is generally more suited for casual conversation.