turned bad

USAGE SUMMARY

'turned bad' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something, such as when your day “turned bad” after a series of unfortunate events.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was a hit that unfortunately turned bad," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I nearly died, from surgery that turned bad.

The Guardian - Music

Those who weren't bad turned bad, he said, and they had turned the others bad, too.

The New Yorker

The trading, which was intended to protect the bank from financial risk, turned bad.

The New York Times

It was "an umbrella, a dream I carried around in case the weather turned bad".

The New York Times

The people affected are poor to begin with; when things turned bad, they had no recourse.

The New York Times

His social life became a cautionary tale for child stars turned bad, wracked with gambling, drinking and women.

The Economist

He also told a familiar tale of agricultural decline — how yields had gone down, how the water had turned bad.

The New York Times

The monthly rent was $600 and he was able to split the cost with a roommate once things turned bad.

The New York Times

Midway through college, the economy turned bad for the class of '74.

The New York Times

Mordred has also turned bad, not through any real prophecy, but through old-fashioned heartbroken rage.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned bad" to describe a situation, relationship, or object that has transitioned from a positive or neutral state to a negative one. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "turned bad" and why.

Common error

Avoid using "turned bad" for situations that were inherently negative from the start. The phrase implies a change from good to bad, not a pre-existing negative state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned bad" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a transition from a positive or neutral state to a negative one, indicating a change in condition or quality, as shown in examples by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned bad" is a widely used and grammatically sound verb phrase indicating a shift from a positive or neutral state to a negative one. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and acceptability in various contexts. While its register is generally neutral, more formal or technical settings might benefit from more precise alternatives like "deteriorated" or "degenerated". Its frequent appearance in news and media highlights its role in describing unfortunate changes or declines across diverse situations. When using "turned bad", ensure that the context clearly shows what specifically deteriorated and why, and avoid applying it to situations inherently negative from the beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became worse

Focuses on the worsening condition of something.

deteriorated

Highlights the decline in quality or condition.

went downhill

Emphasizes a downward trend or decline.

took a turn for the worse

Indicates a sudden and negative change.

degenerated

Implies a decline into a lower or corrupt state.

sour

Suggests a negative transformation, often in relationships or situations.

declined

Focuses on the reduction or decrease in quality or condition.

devolved

Implies a shift from a higher to a lower state.

went wrong

Indicates that something has malfunctioned or failed.

fell apart

Highlights the disintegration or collapse of something.

FAQs

How can I use "turned bad" in a sentence?

You can use "turned bad" to describe something that has deteriorated or become negative over time. For example, "The weather "turned bad", causing the cancellation of the event."

What are some alternatives to "turned bad"?

Alternatives include "became worse", "deteriorated", or "went downhill". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "turned bad" in formal writing?

While "turned bad" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "deteriorated" or "degenerated" might be preferred in academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "turned bad" and "was bad"?

"Turned bad" implies a change of state from good or neutral to negative, whereas "was bad" indicates a consistently negative state from the beginning.