was notorious for

USAGE SUMMARY

"was notorious for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a belief that someone was well-known for a particular thing or characteristic that was generally seen as negative. Example: He was notorious for his disruptive behavior in class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

MPPE was notorious for selling substandard diesel.

The Economist

The lion was notorious for killing the Masai's cattle.

The New Yorker

That film was notorious for its gruelling shoot.

Independent

George Sand was notorious for her men's suits.

The New Yorker

He was notorious for his attention to detail.

The New York Times

It was notorious for being cutthroat and aggressive.

Harvard Business Review

"The place was notorious for sinking ships, not saving them".

The New York Times

But he was notorious for sending abusive texts to journalists.

The Guardian

But she was notorious for her personal life.

The New York Times

He was notorious for not leaving written accounts of this work.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I thought the N.F.L. was notorious for protecting the uniform?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was notorious for" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is widely known for a negative or undesirable trait. Be sure the context supports the negative connotation.

Common error

While "was notorious for" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic or informal. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "was known for" or providing specific examples to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was notorious for" functions as a descriptive expression. It ascribes a characteristic or behavior for which someone or something is widely and unfavorably known. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was notorious for" is a phrase used to describe something or someone widely known for a negative trait or action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is frequently found in news media but also appears in encyclopedias and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a negative reputation and consider alternative phrasings if a less dramatic tone is desired. Remember that overuse of "was notorious for" can affect the writing style so be mindful of it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was infamous for

Replaces "notorious" with "infamous", emphasizing the negative reputation.

was infamous because of

Changes the preposition from 'for' to 'because of' while maintaining the negative connotation.

was well-known for (negative)

More general term, specifies that the 'well-known' aspect is negative.

had a bad reputation for

Focuses on the 'reputation' aspect rather than direct knowledge.

was known for (negative)

Similar to 'well-known', but requires the context to imply negativity.

was regarded unfavorably for

More formal and indirect way to express negative association.

was derided for

Implies the subject was openly mocked or criticized.

had a history of (negative)

Highlights past actions contributing to a negative reputation.

was stigmatized for

Suggests the subject suffered social disapproval.

was disreputable due to

Uses a more formal tone with 'disreputable' and 'due to'.

FAQs

How do I use "was notorious for" in a sentence?

Use "was notorious for" to indicate that someone or something is widely known for a negative or undesirable trait. For example: "The politician "was notorious for" his controversial speeches".

What can I say instead of "was notorious for"?

You can use alternatives such as "was infamous for", "had a bad reputation for", or "was well-known for (negative)" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was notorious for" or "was famous for"?

"Was notorious for" and "was famous for" have opposite connotations. "Was notorious for" implies a negative reputation, while "was famous for" implies a positive or neutral recognition. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the subject's reputation.

What is the difference between "was notorious for" and "was known for"?

"Was notorious for" indicates that someone or something is widely known for negative reasons. "Was known for" is a more neutral term and does not necessarily imply negativity. The specific context will dictate which expression is most appropriate.