a terrible driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible driver" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is not skilled at driving or frequently makes mistakes while driving. Example: "After witnessing her nearly hit a parked car, I have to say she is a terrible driver."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He was a terrible driver.

The New York Times - Books

What a terrible driver".

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, he was a terrible driver".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She was a terrible driver, absolutely awful.

The Guardian - Books

I believe in it, fortunately, because I'm a terrible driver.

Independent

The reality is, I shouldn't be – I'm a terrible driver.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She was a whiz at crosswords, a terrible backseat driver and a loving, loyal friend.

The Guardian

Joyce is an outstanding guest and a terrible backseat driver.

Huffington Post

Karl pictured a pearlescent turquoise ball bouncing into the road between parked cars, and he imagined slamming down the brake and the clutch at the same time, but he was doing almost 40 because he was a terrible, negligent driver.

Vice

Remember that terrible driver's ed feeling of shifting into second when you meant to shift to fourth?

The New York Times

For that matter, Lori Grimes Sarah Waynee Callies, Rickk's dead ex and the show's resident terrible driver, was also notably absent.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a terrible driver", ensure the context clearly supports the negative assessment. Provide specific examples or observations to justify the claim.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a terrible driver" without providing context or examples. An unsupported claim can sound harsh and subjective. Instead, illustrate specific instances of poor driving to substantiate your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible driver" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It's used to characterize someone's driving ability negatively. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate real-world applications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible driver" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone with poor driving skills. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides various examples from credible sources. While the phrase is widely understood, context and supporting evidence are essential to avoid sounding overly critical. Alternative phrases like "a poor driver" or "an awful driver" can soften the tone. The phrase's register is generally neutral, frequently appearing in news media and everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful driver

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", offering a slightly less formal tone.

a lousy driver

Employs "lousy" as a more casual synonym for "terrible".

a dreadful driver

Substitutes "terrible" with "dreadful", intensifying the negative connotation.

a poor driver

Uses "poor" instead of "terrible", providing a more gentle assessment of someone's driving ability.

an incompetent driver

Replaces "terrible" with "incompetent", offering a more formal and technical critique.

a shockingly bad driver

Adds emphasis to the poor driving ability with "shockingly bad".

a hazardous driver

Focuses on the danger posed by the driver, rather than their general skill.

a dangerously inept driver

Combines "dangerously" and "inept" to highlight both the risk and lack of skill.

a menace on the road

Uses a more figurative expression to describe a driver who is dangerous or annoying.

a woefully inadequate driver

Replaces "terrible" with the more formal "woefully inadequate".

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as "a terrible driver"?

Describing someone as "a terrible driver" means they lack skill and often make mistakes while operating a vehicle, potentially posing a risk to themselves and others.

What are some less harsh ways to say someone is "a terrible driver"?

You could say someone is "a poor driver", "an awful driver", or needs more practice. These phrases soften the criticism.

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

You can use it like this: "After witnessing her park across two spaces, I realized she was "a terrible driver"."

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a terrible driver" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a terrible driver" is more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. Formal writing may benefit from a more nuanced or professional description, such as "lacking driving proficiency".