this was bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a negative opinion or judgment about a past event or situation. Example: "After watching the movie, I have to say, this was bad; I expected much more from it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This was bad enough.

The Economist

This was bad timing.

The New Yorker

This was bad news.

The New York Times

"This was bad," he thinks.

The New Yorker

We knew this was bad.

The New Yorker

Shit, this was bad.

The Guardian

We didn't think this was bad".

The New York Times

"This was bad management," she says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is bad stuff.

The New York Times

This is bad news.

The Economist

"This is bad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was bad" to express a direct and clear negative assessment of a past event. It's suitable when you want to state your opinion frankly without being overly formal.

Common error

While straightforward, relying too heavily on "this was bad" can make your writing sound simplistic. Vary your vocabulary with more descriptive alternatives like "this was detrimental" or "this was unfortunate" to add nuance and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was bad" functions as a declarative statement expressing a negative evaluation of a past situation or event. It presents a subjective judgment, indicating the speaker's disapproval or dissatisfaction. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to convey such negativity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was bad" is a straightforward and commonly used phrase for expressing negative opinions or judgments about past events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While effective for direct communication, writers should consider more nuanced alternatives to avoid sounding simplistic. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from richer vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was unfortunate

Replaces "bad" with a more polite term, focusing on the negative outcome.

it wasn't a good thing

Expresses a general sense of something negative or undesirable happening.

that was not ideal

Uses understatement to express mild disapproval.

it was a regrettable situation

Indicates that the situation is a cause for regret.

it was a negative development

Introduces a more formal tone and emphasizes the event's impact.

it proved to be detrimental

Highlights the damaging effects of the situation.

that was subpar

Highlights that the result was below the expected standard.

things took a turn for the worse

Implies a previous state was acceptable, but conditions have deteriorated.

the outcome was unfavorable

Focuses on the undesirable result of a particular situation.

the circumstances were adverse

Emphasizes the challenging or difficult nature of the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this was bad" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal than "this was bad", you might say "the outcome was unfavorable", "it proved to be detrimental", or "the circumstances were adverse".

What's a more nuanced alternative to "this was bad"?

Alternatives that add nuance include "that was unfortunate" or "that was not ideal", depending on the degree of negativity you want to convey.

Is "this was bad" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "this was bad" might be considered too informal for most academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language relevant to your field of study.

How does "this was bad" differ from "that was wrong"?

"This was bad" expresses a negative assessment, while "that was wrong" implies a moral or ethical violation. The choice depends on whether you're judging the outcome or the action itself.