that would be bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would be bad" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a certain situation or result is undesirable. For example: "If it rains tomorrow, that would be bad – we were planning on going to the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oh, that would be bad.

Yale University

If Apple wins against HTC, that would be bad news for upstart handset firms.

The Economist

"Not to do anything – that would be bad for the city," he said.

The Guardian

EMMA - Oh that would be bad.

BBC

We don't… leave someone to sink or swim; that would be bad".

International Journal of STEM Education

If they turn down instead, that would be bad news indeed.

Forbes

A switch like that would be bad enough, but it's not the worst.

Forbes

"If they were one-off failures that would be bad enough, but they are not.

BBC

That would be bad enough.

The New York Times

That would be bad business".

The New York Times - Sports

That would be bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that would be bad" to express a mild to moderate level of concern or disapproval. For stronger negative connotations, consider using alternatives like "disastrous" or "unacceptable."

Common error

While "that would be bad" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, it can sound simplistic in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary such as "detrimental" or "unfavorable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would be bad" functions as a comment clause, expressing a subjective evaluation of a hypothetical situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase indicates an undesirable outcome or consequence, with numerous examples found across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that would be bad" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an undesirable outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in various contexts from news articles to academic discussions. While suitable for many situations, it's wise to consider more formal alternatives like "detrimental" or "unfavorable" in professional settings. When aiming to convey a higher level of concern, "that would be terrible" could better suit the context. With a wide array of sources and a clear, consistent meaning, "that would be bad" remains a useful expression to indicate potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would be unfortunate

Emphasizes the element of bad luck or disappointment.

that would be detrimental

Highlights the damaging or harmful aspect of the situation.

that would be unfavorable

Focuses on the negative impact or disadvantage it would create.

that would be regrettable

Indicates a sense of sorrow or remorse about the potential outcome.

that would be unwelcome

Suggests the situation or result is not desired or appreciated.

that would be a problem

Highlights the challenges or difficulties that would arise.

that would be a disaster

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the potential event.

that would be suboptimal

Indicates that the outcome would be less than ideal.

that would be counterproductive

Highlights that this will have the opposite of the intended effect.

that would be a cause for concern

Introduces a reason to feel worried or anxious.

FAQs

How can I use "that would be bad" in a sentence?

You can use "that would be bad" to express a negative consequence or undesirable outcome. For example, "If we miss the deadline, "that would be bad" for our reputation".

What phrases are similar to "that would be bad"?

Alternatives include "that would be unfortunate", "that would be detrimental", or "that would be unfavorable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that would be bad" too informal for professional writing?

In some formal contexts, "that would be bad" might sound too simplistic. Consider using stronger or more precise language to convey the severity of the negative outcome.

What's the difference between "that would be bad" and "that would be terrible"?

"That would be terrible" suggests a more severe negative outcome than "that would be bad". Use "that would be terrible" when the consequences are significantly more serious.