which is bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to provide additional information or commentary about a preceding statement or situation that is negative or undesirable. Example: "The weather has been unusually cold for this time of year, which is bad for the crops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is bad luck for Berlin.

The Economist

Which is bad for America.

The Guardian

Which is bad news for everyone else.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is bad news for people who like to cram.

The Guardian

Which is bad news for Mr. Unfortunate below.

The Guardian - Sport

That event lit a fire under Congress, which is bad.

The New York Times

Which is bad, because the 60s are nearly over.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Slam Chowder looks ready to roll, which is bad news for the entire N.C.A.A. field.

The New York Times

So now we are nameless, which is bad news from a branding point of view.

The New Yorker

Which is bad news for the rest of the field in the 200m final.

Independent

Which is bad news for all those debonair Americans, laid back Germans and quite unspeakable Canadians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "which is bad" with more descriptive alternatives (e.g., "which is detrimental", "which is problematic") to add nuance and specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "which is bad" as it can make your writing sound repetitive and simplistic. Strive for more precise and descriptive language to convey the negative consequences effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is bad" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional commentary on a preceding statement. As indicated by Ludwig, it is generally considered grammatically correct. It adds a subjective assessment of negativity to the situation being described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is bad" is a frequently used phrase to express a negative evaluation or judgment. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly used in news and media, though it can also be found in scientific and informal writing. For more formal or nuanced contexts, consider using alternatives such as "which is unfortunate" or "which is detrimental". While versatile, avoid overuse to maintain writing sophistication. The phrase functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, adding commentary on a preceding statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is unfortunate

Replaces "bad" with a milder term suggesting disappointment or regret.

which is unfavorable

A formal replacement for "bad", suggesting the situation is disadvantageous.

which is not ideal

Substitutes "bad" with a phrase indicating something is less than perfect but still functional.

which is a shame

Expresses regret or disappointment using a more emphatic phrase than simply saying something is "bad".

which is regrettable

Replaces "bad" with a term expressing sorrow or disappointment about a situation.

which is problematic

Replaces "bad" with a term highlighting the difficulties or issues caused by a situation.

which is detrimental

Replaces "bad" with a stronger term emphasizing the harmful effects of a situation.

which is disappointing

Highlights the lack of satisfaction arising from a situation, instead of simply calling it "bad".

which is worrying

Substitutes "bad" with a term expressing concern or anxiety about a situation's potential outcomes.

which is suboptimal

Indicates the situation is less effective or desirable, offering a technical alternative to "bad".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which is bad" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "which is unfortunate", "which is problematic", or "which is detrimental" depending on the context.

Is "which is bad" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "which is bad" can sound informal. In academic writing, consider more precise and formal alternatives like "which is unfavorable" or "which is suboptimal".

What's the difference between "which is bad" and "which is unfortunate"?

"Which is bad" is a general statement of negativity. "Which is unfortunate" implies a sense of regret or disappointment about the situation, adding a layer of emotion.

Can I use "that is bad" instead of "which is bad"?

Yes, "that is bad" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "which" introduces a non-restrictive clause, providing additional information, while "that" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning.