say bad things vs speak evil

Both phrases are correct, but 'say bad things' is more commonly used in English compared to 'speak evil'. They both convey the idea of expressing negative opinions or comments about someone or something.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 771 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the act of speaking negatively about someone or something.

"say bad things"

This phrase is used when someone is talking about or expressing negative opinions or comments about someone or something.

Examples:

Please don't say bad things about others.
He always says bad things about his colleagues.
She said some really bad things about the company.
Why do you always say bad things about yourself?
It's not nice to say bad things about people behind their backs.

Show examples from the web [+]

It means when you say bad things.
You can never say bad things about someone else's kid. Ever.
I hate people who say bad things about Michael Jackson.
You say bad things about his morn, he hears bad things about himself.
JJ. Him doesn't like it when you say bad things about me, and you know that.
You think you are allowed to say bad things about her just because you didn't know?
I like to say bad things about him.
Sorry, I can't say bad things about Grandma.
Kids sometimes don't know how to say bad things about their moms and dads.
No, I came here to say bad things about Reverend Tammy, and that is so mean of me.
You know, she told me you'd say bad things.
Around here, they only say bad things about her.
Look, people say bad things about my dad, but that's not who he is.
Let's just say bad things tend to happen to bad people.
They say bad things happen in three; they don't.
She used to call when I was little and say bad things about my mom.
See, if you say bad things about me and the Pope, I'll laugh.
I want you to know that this town has many gossips... who say bad things about you... that you have a secret lover.
There are differences between the roles of angels who say good things and roles to bad they say bad things is advantageous for the actors reciting bad parts?
You can never say bad things about someone else's kid.

Alternatives:

make negative comments
speak negatively
express criticism
talk badly
utter negative remarks

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English compared to 'say bad things'. It conveys the idea of speaking in a malevolent or harmful manner.

"speak evil"

This phrase is used when someone is talking in a malicious or harmful way, often implying a more sinister intent.

Examples:

He spoke evil of his former friend.
She was accused of speaking evil about her colleagues.
Don't speak evil of others behind their backs.
The villain in the story always speaks evil of the hero.
It's not right to speak evil of someone without proof.

Show examples from the web [+]

Some people are always prone to speak evil... ...without knowledge of the truth.
Any scientific clue to reveal what caused... ...this hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil, see-no-evil malady.
Point three... speak no evil. It's the hospital lawyer.
These shells - they look like "see no evil, speak no evil."
These three wise monkeys, the ones that whisper in our ear to speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil.
I'm going to speak about good and evil.
The Evil One speaks through him.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Vice-President Frattini reminds me - and this is not intended as an insult - of those famous monkeys which see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.
Klaus, voice-over: Over the course of my life, I've encountered no shortage of those who would presume to speak of good and evil.
This is my first time at TED. Normally, as an advertising man, I actually speak at TED Evil, which is TED's secret sister that pays all the bills.
See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,"and shall speak all manner of evil "against you falsely, for my sake."
I speak of general, not particular evils.
The passage speaks of a mountain that erupts and buries the place where all evil once sprang forth.
An evil so powerful the elders only dared to speak of it in whispers.
- Speak, who are you? - Your evil demon, Brutus.
What is this Evil Council everyone speaks of?
No one shall look upon, speak to, or aid such evil.
The passage speaks of a mountain that erupts and buries the place where all evil once sprang forth.
I speak of the dignity, the nobility of pure Evil.

Alternatives:

spread malicious talk
talk in a harmful manner
utter malevolent words
speak ill
express malevolence

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say bad things vs speak evil

"say bad things"

"speak evil"

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