a terrible decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disapproval or regret about a choice that was made. Example: "Choosing to invest in that failing company was a terrible decision that cost us a lot of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That was a terrible decision".

Independent

It's a terrible decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Jason, it was a terrible decision.

The New Yorker

Rogier's was a terrible decision even at the time.

The Economist

"He just acknowledged that he had made a terrible decision".

The New York Times

I felt I had made a terrible decision.

Independent

Once there, Arthur has clearly reached a terrible decision.

The Guardian - Film

The president would have to make a terrible decision.

The New York Times

She was grateful he hadn't "made a terrible decision based upon a doctor's guess".

The New York Times

Felony is about an ordinary man who makes a terrible decision.

Independent

The latter was a terrible decision by the English referee Mark Clattenburg.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a terrible decision" when you want to strongly express disapproval or regret about a choice that has been made. It's suitable for situations where the negative consequences are clear and significant.

Common error

While "a terrible decision" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "a grave error in judgment" or "a profoundly flawed decision" in professional or academic writing to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible decision" functions as a noun phrase, where 'terrible' modifies 'decision'. It is used to describe a specific choice or judgment, expressing that it was extremely poor or unfortunate. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible decision" is a commonly used phrase to express strong disapproval or regret about a choice. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use, especially in news and media contexts. While suitable for various situations, consider more formal alternatives like "a grave error in judgment" or "a profoundly flawed decision" in professional settings. Be mindful of the context and desired tone to ensure the phrase aligns with your communication goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave error in judgment

Highlights the seriousness and significance of the mistake.

a disastrous choice

Emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of the decision.

a profoundly flawed decision

Emphasizes the deep and significant imperfections in the decision-making process.

an awful mistake

Focuses on the error aspect of the decision.

a deeply regrettable choice

Expresses a strong sense of sorrow and disappointment about the decision.

a regrettable action

Highlights the feeling of remorse associated with the decision.

a calamitous judgment

Stresses the severely negative outcome of the judgment.

an unfortunate determination

Softens the negative tone while still indicating a poor outcome.

a misguided selection

Indicates that the choice was based on flawed reasoning.

an ill-advised move

Suggests the decision was imprudent or lacked foresight.

FAQs

How can I use "a terrible decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a terrible decision" to express strong disapproval or regret about a choice. For example, "Investing in that company proved to be "a terrible decision" as we lost all our money."

What are some alternatives to "a terrible decision"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a disastrous choice", "an awful mistake", or "a regrettable action".

Is there a more formal way to say "a terrible decision"?

Yes, in formal settings, consider using phrases such as "a grave error in judgment" or "a profoundly flawed decision" to maintain a professional tone.

What makes a decision "a terrible decision"?

A decision is considered "a terrible decision" when it leads to significantly negative outcomes, causes substantial harm, or is based on flawed reasoning. The severity of the consequences determines the aptness of the phrase.