a terrible future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing negative predictions or outcomes related to future events or scenarios. Example: "If we do not take action against climate change, we may be facing a terrible future for our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

WHEN Britain last tinkered with the House of Lords, opponents foresaw a terrible future.

The Economist

Everything points to a terrible future in which their son is destined to become a monster.

The New York Times

If the "Ted Cruz Wing" of the G.O.P. prevails and forces the president to curtail Obamacare in any way in return for funding the government, mainstream conservatives will be staring at a terrible future.

The New York Times

It means there is a terrible future on the horizon - a world without antibiotics.

BBC

A terrible future could be on the horizon, a future which rips one of the greatest tools of medicine out of the hands of doctors.

BBC

"So a film that depicts a terrible future is also proposing a reflection on certain specific aspects of the present historical moment".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This story could have come from a grumpy developer who used a feature made available by Microsoft for next-gen console developers but it sounds less like a possibility than an alternative, terrible future.

TechCrunch

And it's a jolt when Louis has to tend to a young student, horribly killed in a car wreck, who becomes an undead warming of Louis's own terrible future.

The Guardian - Film

"Guests are invited to enter the time portal and witness a terrible, apocalyptic future, wherein the world is ruled by a nefarious cookie cult".

The New York Times - Arts

Poem after poem has the same plot: an effort at ordinary happiness, pleasure, closeness -- a camping trip to Yellowstone, a day at the beach -- turns ominous as a symbol (an owl, a bear, a cloud of bats, worms, thunder, a Ouija-board message, a cursing gypsy, a sinister doll) appears on the scene to foreshadow the terrible future.

The New York Times - Books

For almost half the novel, the terrible future - "what no one knew... .. - waits to swallow its characters.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a terrible future", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the future 'terrible'. Be specific about the potential negative outcomes or consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible future" as a generic doomsday prediction. Instead, detail the specific aspects that make the future undesirable, such as environmental degradation, social unrest, or economic collapse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible future" functions primarily as a noun phrase, with 'terrible' acting as an adjective modifying the noun 'future'. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible future" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a negative prediction or potential outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is predominantly found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific details about what makes the future 'terrible' to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like ""a bleak outlook"" or ""a grim prospect"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grim prospect

Highlights the unpleasantness and lack of desirability of the potential future.

a catastrophic outcome

Focuses on the devastating results of future events.

a bleak outlook

Focuses on the lack of positive prospects, emphasizing a general sense of hopelessness.

a dark tomorrow

Emphasizes the lack of hope and positivity in the future.

a disastrous tomorrow

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of future events.

a nightmarish scenario

Emphasizes the frightening and unreal quality of the potential future.

a calamitous fate

Focuses on the inevitable and unfortunate nature of the predicted outcome.

an ominous horizon

Highlights the threatening and foreboding nature of the future.

a horrifying destiny

Highlights the terrifying and predetermined nature of the future.

an apocalyptic vision

Highlights the complete destruction and end-of-the-world aspect of the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible future" to describe potential negative outcomes. For example, "If we don't address climate change, we face "a terrible future" for our planet."

What are some alternatives to "a terrible future"?

You can use alternatives like "a bleak outlook", "a grim prospect", or "a disastrous tomorrow" depending on the context.

Is it more effective to say "a terrible future" or "terrible future"?

The phrase "a terrible future" is grammatically correct and more common because it uses the indefinite article "a" before the adjective "terrible", which modifies the noun "future".

What implications does using the phrase "a terrible future" have?

Using "a terrible future" implies a strong negative prediction and can be used to warn people or highlight the urgency of addressing current problems to avoid undesirable outcomes.