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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Does not reflect well on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not reflect well on" is correct and commonly used in written English
You can use it to refer to how someone's actions or words make a bad impression on others. For example, "His disregard for basic safety rules does not reflect well on him as a leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Her voice has become a very powerful one, but this latest US Open outburst does not reflect well on her.

News & Media

BBC

Their homogeneity does not reflect well on the diversity of the G.O.P. or its views.

News & Media

The New York Times

That does not reflect well on the European officials and international creditors involved.

Even so, the suggestion that Moores learned of his fate from the media does not reflect well on the ECB.

Almost everyone who works with Adie has some story to tell which does not reflect well on their colleague.

News & Media

The Guardian

He writes: "The sheer emotional energy these scrapes consumed does not reflect well on any of the participants – me included.

News & Media

The Guardian

Third, that justice had to come from international courts does not reflect well on Africans and Liberia in particular.

News & Media

The Guardian

The lack of meaningful action by Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union does not reflect well on either body.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This anecdote doesn't reflect well on me, but I stand by the basic principle.

"That's pretty stark, and it doesn't reflect well on the political establishment," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"The fact that it's happening now doesn't reflect well on anyone".

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "does not reflect well on" to express that a particular action, decision, or situation negatively impacts someone or something's reputation or image. Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using vague subjects with "does not reflect well on". For example, instead of saying "It does not reflect well on the company", specify what action or event is causing the negative reflection: "The company's handling of the crisis does not reflect well on its leadership."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not reflect well on" serves as a negative evaluation, indicating that something has a detrimental impact on the reputation, image, or standing of a person, entity, or situation. As Ludwig explains, it conveys a bad impression.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

⚠ Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not reflect well on" is a commonly used phrase to express a negative impact on someone or something's reputation or image. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as academia, indicating its suitability for formal and neutral communication. Alternative phrases such as "reflects poorly on" or "casts a bad light on" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid any ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "does not reflect well on" in a sentence?

Use "does not reflect well on" to indicate that a specific action, decision, or situation has a negative impact on someone or something's reputation or image. For example, "The scandal "does not reflect well on" the politician's career".

What are some alternatives to "does not reflect well on"?

You can use alternatives such as "reflects poorly on", "casts a bad light on", or "reflects negatively on" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "does not reflect well on" or "reflects poorly on"?

Both "does not reflect well on" and "reflects poorly on" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on your writing style and the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "does not reflect well on" and "is detrimental to"?

"Does not reflect well on" typically refers to the impact on someone's reputation or image, while "is detrimental to" indicates a more direct and harmful effect. For example, "His behavior does not reflect well on the team", versus "Smoking is detrimental to your health".

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: