a terrible image

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible image" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a visual representation that is unpleasant, disturbing, or of poor quality. Example: "The horror movie was filled with a terrible image that haunted me long after the credits rolled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"That's a terrible image, Nicky.

The New Yorker

Never before has the U.S. had such a terrible reputation, a terrible image".

The New York Times

"I just had a terrible image in my mind about using any kind of psychological drug".

The New York Times

She was "not just a socialite," he said, "but one with a terrible image — after her trailed a long string of scandals.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Eurosceptics have a terrible image as a bunch of wild men with stripy shirts, staring eyes and distasteful views about foreigners.

The Economist

A terrible image, but one used so often it takes on more of a private significance and less of the symbolic quality the poet intended.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Even just writing this evokes a surreal and terrible image.

The Guardian

Three women are driven mad; children perish, and in one terrible image a baby is thrown away, like so much waste.

The New Yorker

Abramović says that she never forgot that "terrible image of devotion to a cause," and in a recent interview Ulay noted that the photographs and film footage streaming out of Vietnam politicized his generation of artists.

The New Yorker

You might have a terrible body image day.

Huffington Post

Briggs, the Oxford sociologist, described the use of fire in a suicidal protest as "media friendly" on the grounds that "it provides a terrible, gruesome image, but not one that is too gruesome to be shown on television or in a newspaper".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a terrible image", ensure the context clarifies what makes the image terrible. Be specific about whether it's the quality, content, or emotional impact.

Common error

While "a terrible image" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more nuanced vocabulary in formal writing to precisely convey the image's negative attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible image" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "terrible" modifies the noun "image". It describes the quality or characteristic of the image, indicating it's unpleasant or disturbing. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible image" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an unpleasant or disturbing visual representation. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its frequent appearance in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the specific context and audience when choosing this phrase, and being prepared to provide specific details about what makes the image "terrible". Alternatives like "an awful picture" or "a dreadful representation" can offer nuanced ways to convey the negative quality of the image.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful picture

Uses a different adjective to describe the image, focusing on its unpleasantness.

a dreadful representation

Emphasizes the image as a depiction and uses a stronger adjective to convey its negative quality.

a horrifying depiction

Focuses on the shocking and disturbing nature of the image.

a ghastly scene

Highlights the unpleasant and frightening aspects of the image.

a repulsive sight

Stresses the image's ability to cause disgust.

a disgusting view

Indicates that the image is extremely unpleasant to look at.

an appalling spectacle

Suggests the image is shocking and causes dismay.

a wretched vision

Conveys the image's poor quality and its ability to evoke pity or distress.

a pathetic illustration

Focuses on the image's inadequacy and its ability to evoke sadness.

a disturbing portrayal

Emphasizes the unsettling and troubling nature of the image.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible image" to describe something unpleasant or disturbing. For example, "The news report showed "a terrible image" of the war zone."

What's a more formal way to say "a terrible image"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a dreadful representation" or "an appalling spectacle" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What are some synonyms for "terrible" when describing an image?

Synonyms for "terrible" in this context include awful, dreadful, horrifying, ghastly, repulsive, disgusting, appalling, wretched, pathetic, and disturbing.

Is it correct to say "a terrible image" or should I use a different article?

The phrase "a terrible image" is grammatically correct and widely used. The article "a" is appropriate because "terrible" starts with a consonant sound.