a dreadful image

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dreadful image" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a picture or representation that evokes feelings of horror, disgust, or strong negativity. Example: "The artist's latest work was a dreadful image that left the audience in shock and disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

FINANCIAL INNOVATION HAS a dreadful image these days.

The Economist

Ventilators have largely replaced the "iron lungs" that gave polio such a dreadful image during the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One man at UC Davis pepper-spraying a row of sitting students is a dreadful image to watch.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 2012, The Economist published a 14-page special report on financial innovation entitled "Playing With Fire". It opened with the line "Financial innovation has a dreadful image these days". The goal: rehabilitate that image.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"What is serious is the spectacle they provide, the dreadful image of their country which they give and the abuse of Spanish hospitality," The overworked British vice-consulate in Ibiza estimates that 90percentnt of it's time is now spent dealing with the San Antonio troubles.

The Guardian

The extremity of Dali's vision, like the supersized and overly muscled arm of a figure painted by Joan Miró, suggests the difficulty artists were facing in a world newly awash with dreadful images.

The Washington Post

As a thought experiment, try to imagine what a left-wing Top Gear would look like without summoning up dreadful images of too-clever-by-half types in hemp cardigans lecturing people on the benefits of eco-cars.

Independent

Dreadful images bind Colombians together.

Harvard University

Those dreadful images - the skeletons passing for human beings, the bulldozers shifting mounds of corpses into mass graves - have haunted me ever since.

The Guardian - Film

The wave of panic that washed over Labour MPs as they digested the dreadful images from Abu Ghraib has, for now at least, largely dissipated.This is deeply frustrating for much of the up-market media and its audience, which has settled on a narrative which requires, at some point in the next few months, Tony Blair to be engulfed by the unfolding catastrophe in Iraq.

The Economist

The moment when he told his countrymen of the death of John F Kennedy, his composure for once crumbling, his eyes misting with emotion as he slowly took off and replaced his black-rimmed glasses, is seared into America's collective memory scarcely less deeply than the dreadful images from the motorcade itself.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dreadful image", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the image so unpleasant or negative. This helps the reader understand the severity of the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a dreadful image" to describe minor inconveniences or slightly unflattering photos. This dilutes the impact of the phrase and can come across as hyperbolic or insincere. Reserve it for truly disturbing or deeply unpleasant visuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dreadful image" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "dreadful" modifies the noun "image". It describes the quality or nature of the image, indicating it is something unpleasant or horrifying. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dreadful image" serves as a potent descriptor for visuals that evoke strong negative emotions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and readily usable to describe something disturbing or unpleasant. The analysis reveals that while "dreadful" carries a strong emotional charge, the phrase maintains a neutral register and commonly appears in news and media. To maximize its effectiveness, use the phrase in contexts where you want to elicit a strong negative emotional response and be mindful of the potential for overuse with trivial subjects. Alternatives such as "a terrible image" or "a horrifying image" can offer nuanced variations, ensuring the intended impact is precisely conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a terrible image

Replaces "dreadful" with "terrible", indicating severe unpleasantness or badness.

an awful image

Substitutes "dreadful" with "awful", suggesting something extremely unpleasant or shocking.

a horrifying image

Replaces "dreadful" with "horrifying", emphasizing the capacity to cause horror or shock.

a ghastly image

Uses "ghastly" instead of "dreadful", implying something shockingly repellent or horrible.

an appalling image

Replaces "dreadful" with "appalling", conveying something that causes dismay or disgust.

a revolting image

Substitutes "dreadful" with "revolting", highlighting the repulsive nature of the image.

a disgusting image

Replaces "dreadful" with "disgusting", emphasizing the image's capacity to cause revulsion.

a repulsive image

Uses "repulsive" instead of "dreadful", indicating something that causes intense distaste or aversion.

a grim picture

Replaces "dreadful image" with "grim picture", altering the noun while maintaining the negative connotation.

a bleak representation

Uses "bleak representation" instead of "dreadful image", implying a depressing or discouraging portrayal.

FAQs

What does "a dreadful image" mean?

The phrase "a dreadful image" refers to a picture or representation that evokes strong feelings of horror, disgust, or intense negativity. It suggests something deeply unpleasant or disturbing.

How can I use "a dreadful image" in a sentence?

You can use "a dreadful image" to describe visuals that cause strong negative reactions. For example, "The news report showed "a dreadful image" of the war-torn city."

What are some alternatives to "a dreadful image"?

Some alternatives include "a terrible image", "an awful image", or "a horrifying image". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a dreadful image" formal or informal?

"A dreadful image" is generally considered neutral in tone. While "dreadful" indicates strong negativity, the phrase itself is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.