a horrible mood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horrible mood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's emotional state, indicating that they are feeling very negative or irritable. Example: "After receiving the bad news, she was in a horrible mood for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I was in a horrible mood".

The New York Times - Sports

The first rehearsal for Charlie was in a church hall in Brixton and he was in a horrible mood that morning, grousing at how far it was, exhausted from Bond, and then walking in and seeing all his old friends.

The Guardian

Life could be a lot worse.In this section Workingman's blues It's the economy again, stupid Don't mention FISA A lucky man Reprints Related items The economy: the solutions: It’s the economy again, stupid Jul 24th 2008 Economics focus: Cheap and cheerfulJul 24th 2008 America: Unhappy AmericaJul 24th 2008Regardless of their political beliefs, American voters are in a horrible mood this year.

The Economist

I was in a horrible mood and I basically threw a temper tantrum.

Huffington Post

They met in Mainz in October 1875, after which he returned to Basserman at Heidelback in a "horrible mood".

Wikipedia

If I'm in a horrible mood and I put on this angry music, it makes me happy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Twisting the serial-killer story into an unexpectedly novel shape, Adam Wingard's film "A Horrible Way to Die" is a restrained, ripely atmospheric thriller that relies more on mood than on special effects.

The New York Times

I will always remember the confused expressions on my friends faces the day of the results, and the horrible mood everyone was in.

Vice

To bring in some superior references, it is like "Cheers," as written by Neil LaBute in a not-entirely-horrible mood, mixed with "Lost" — everyone stuck in a place that defeats their attempts to leave it, with cutaways to explain the special reasons (parents!) each is damaged.

Los Angeles Times

It's a banger and always lifts the mood after a horrible speech.

Vice

"A horrible, horrible bounce".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a temporary state of mind caused by a specific event, using "a horrible mood" can effectively convey the intensity of negative emotions. For example: "After the argument, he was in a horrible mood all evening".

Common error

Avoid attributing a chronic or long-term condition to merely "a horrible mood". This phrase typically implies a temporary emotional state, not a persistent mental health issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horrible mood" functions as a noun phrase, where "horrible" modifies the noun "mood". It describes a state of mind or emotional condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a horrible mood" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood expression used to describe a temporary state of intense negative emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly frequent, it appears in reputable news sources and general writing. When employing this phrase, be mindful of its implication of a transient state and avoid using it to describe ongoing mental health issues. Consider alternatives like "a dreadful mood" or "a foul mood" to subtly adjust the tone. This expression is suitable for neutral contexts and is easily understood across diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dreadful mood

Replaces "horrible" with "dreadful", indicating a state of intense unpleasantness or fear.

a terrible mood

Substitutes "horrible" with "terrible", signifying a very bad or unpleasant feeling.

an awful mood

Substitutes "horrible" with "awful", indicating something extremely unpleasant.

a foul mood

Replaces "horrible" with "foul", suggesting an unpleasant and offensive disposition.

a dismal mood

Substitutes "horrible" with "dismal", indicating gloominess and lack of cheer.

a bad mood

Uses "bad" instead of "horrible", conveying a general sense of negativity or irritability.

a dark mood

Replaces "horrible" with "dark", implying a state of unhappiness or foreboding.

a grumpy mood

Replaces "horrible" with "grumpy", focusing on irritability and discontent.

a sour mood

Replaces "horrible" with "sour", suggesting a displeased or bitter disposition.

a blue mood

Uses "blue" instead of "horrible", conveying sadness or melancholy.

FAQs

What does it mean to be in "a horrible mood"?

Being in "a horrible mood" means experiencing a period of intense negativity, irritability, or general unhappiness. It suggests a temporary emotional state that is significantly unpleasant.

What can I say instead of "a horrible mood"?

You can use alternatives like "a dreadful mood", "a terrible mood", or "a foul mood" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do you use "a horrible mood" in a sentence?

You can use "a horrible mood" to describe someone's emotional state. For example: "She's been in a horrible mood ever since she failed her exam."

Is it grammatically correct to say "a horrible mood"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase consists of the article "a", the adjective "horrible", and the noun "mood", forming a standard and acceptable English construction.