a dreadful mood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dreadful mood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of feeling very unhappy, upset, or irritable. Example: "After receiving the bad news, she was in a dreadful mood for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mary is in a dreadful mood (her beloved Matthew has died — but it's been six months, for heaven's sake!).

The New Yorker

Mary is in a dreadful mood (her beloved Matthew has died but it's been six months, for heaven's sake!).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Twinkle" was co-produced by Chavarria and has a dreadful, uneasy mood.

Wikipedia

A dreadful controversy indeed!

The New Yorker

A dreadful thought occurs.

The Economist

A dreadful end.

Independent

What a dreadful impoverishment.

The New York Times

It's a dreadful, dreadful thing".

The Guardian - Film

It is a dreadful, dreadful meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a dreadful, dreadful blow.

The Guardian

Monday was a dreadful day.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, use "a dreadful mood" to convey a strong sense of unhappiness or irritability. Consider the context to ensure the intensity of the phrase matches the situation.

Common error

Avoid pairing "dreadful" with additional intensifiers (e.g., "very dreadful mood") as it can sound redundant. "Dreadful" already implies a significant degree of negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dreadful mood" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "dreadful" modifies the noun "mood". It is used to express a negative emotional state or disposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dreadful mood" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a state of intense unhappiness or irritability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Although relatively rare in occurrence, its use is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey and avoid redundant intensifiers. Alternative phrases such as "a terrible mood" or "an awful mood" can be used to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a terrible mood

Replaces "dreadful" with "terrible", indicating a severe state of unhappiness.

an awful mood

Uses "awful" instead of "dreadful", suggesting a similarly unpleasant emotional state.

a foul mood

Substitutes "dreadful" with "foul", implying an unpleasant and disagreeable mood.

a horrible mood

Replaces "dreadful" with "horrible", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the mood.

a rotten mood

Uses "rotten" instead of "dreadful", indicating a mood that is unpleasant and undesirable.

a grim mood

Substitutes "dreadful" with "grim", focusing on the somber and depressing aspect of the mood.

a bleak mood

Replaces "dreadful" with "bleak", highlighting the cheerless and discouraging nature of the mood.

a sullen mood

Uses "sullen" instead of "dreadful", suggesting a silent and resentful state of mind.

a depressed mood

Substitutes "dreadful" with "depressed", directly indicating a state of low spirits and sadness.

a morose mood

Replaces "dreadful" with "morose", emphasizing the gloomy and ill-tempered nature of the mood.

FAQs

How can I describe a less intense negative mood than "a dreadful mood"?

For a milder negative mood, you could use phrases like "a bad mood", "an off mood", or "a grumpy mood" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some synonyms for "dreadful" to use in describing a mood?

You can replace "dreadful" with words like "terrible", "awful", "horrible", or "foul" to describe a similar negative mood.

Is it appropriate to use "a dreadful mood" in formal writing?

While "a dreadful mood" is grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral or precise language to describe the mood, such as "a state of unease" or "marked dissatisfaction".

How to use "a dreadful mood" in a sentence?

You can use "a dreadful mood" as follows: "After failing the exam, she was in "a dreadful mood" all day" or "The constant rain put everyone in "a dreadful mood".