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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Does not reflect well on
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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
Their homogeneity does not reflect well on the diversity of the G.O.P. or its views.
News & Media
That does not reflect well on the European officials and international creditors involved.
News & Media
Even so, the suggestion that Moores learned of his fate from the media does not reflect well on the ECB.
News & Media
Almost everyone who works with Adie has some story to tell which does not reflect well on their colleague.
News & Media
He writes: "The sheer emotional energy these scrapes consumed does not reflect well on any of the participants – me included.
News & Media
Third, that justice had to come from international courts does not reflect well on Africans and Liberia in particular.
News & Media
The lack of meaningful action by Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union does not reflect well on either body.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
"That's pretty stark, and it doesn't reflect well on the political establishment," he said.
News & Media
"The fact that it's happening now doesn't reflect well on anyone".
News & Media
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."
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.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
reflects poorly on
Replaces "does not reflect well" with its direct antonym.
reflects negatively on
Synonymous, adding "negatively" for emphasis.
casts a bad light on
Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate a negative impression.
makes a bad impression on
Focuses on the negative impression created.
is detrimental to the image of
More formal and emphasizes the harm to an image or reputation.
paints a negative picture of
Similar to "casts a bad light", but emphasizes a visual image.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested