Infamous For: Standard Pattern
Infamous For: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “infamous for” to identify the bad act, quality, or fact for which a person or thing is widely known.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| widely known for something bad or disreputable | infamous for + noun/-ing | Use “infamous for.” |
| widely known without negative judgment | famous/well known for | Use a neutral term instead. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the reason for being known clearly bad, notorious, or disreputable?
If yes: Use “infamous for” plus the negative act, quality, or fact.
If no: Use “famous for” or “well known for” if no negative judgment is intended.
Caveat: “Infamous” is negative, not merely an intensified synonym for “famous.”
Examples
The crossing is infamous for long delays in winter.
The reason for notoriety is negative.
The scam became infamous for targeting new users.
“For” introduces the bad conduct for which it became notorious.
The town is famous for its annual flower market.
A positive attraction calls for “famous,” not “infamous.”
Further guidance
Construction
Use “infamous for” to identify the bad act, quality, or fact for which a person or thing is widely known.
Style Boundary
“Infamous” carries a negative sense; this page covers the “for” complement without treating positive fame constructions as equivalent.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- INFAMOUS | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for “infamous for” when identifying a bad quality, action, or fact for which someone or something is well known.