a terrible thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event, action, or situation that is considered very bad or unfortunate. Example: "The news of the disaster was a terrible thing for the entire community to bear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a terrible thing.

The New York Times

"It's a terrible thing".

The New Yorker

That's a terrible thing.

University of California, Berkeley

Guns are a terrible thing.

The New Yorker

Laziness is a terrible thing.

The New Yorker

It was a terrible thing".

The New York Times - Sports

Fear is a terrible thing.

Independent

This is a terrible thing.

University of California, Berkeley

Mentally, it was a terrible thing.

The New York Times - Sports

That would have been a terrible thing.

The New York Times

"It was a terrible thing," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a terrible thing", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific event or situation you are referring to for maximum impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a terrible thing" in situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly unpleasant. Reserve it for genuinely serious or tragic events to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible thing" functions as a descriptive phrase, often serving as a subjective evaluation of an event, situation, or idea. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely recognized and used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible thing" is a common phrase used to express strong disapproval, sorrow, or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as academic writing, indicating its versatility across different registers. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for genuinely serious or tragic events, as advised by the writing guidance, to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "a horrid thing" or "a tragic event" can offer nuanced variations of the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a horrid thing

Replaces "terrible" with "horrid", intensifying the negative feeling.

a dreadful thing

Substitutes "terrible" with "dreadful", indicating something causing great fear or suffering.

a horrific thing

Replaces "terrible" with "horrific", emphasizing the shocking and appalling nature.

a frightful thing

Uses "frightful" instead of "terrible", suggesting something causing alarm or fear.

a horrendous thing

Replaces "terrible" with "horrendous", highlighting the extremely unpleasant quality.

a shocking thing

Replaces "terrible" with "shocking", emphasizing the unexpected and disturbing nature.

a tragic thing

Substitutes "terrible" with "tragic", focusing on the sorrowful and unfortunate aspect.

an awful occurrence

Rephrases as an "awful occurrence", shifting from a general statement to a specific event.

a distressing event

Changes "thing" to "event" and uses "distressing" to describe the negative impact.

a miserable situation

Frames it as a "miserable situation", highlighting the unhappiness and discomfort involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a terrible thing" to describe an event, situation, or action that causes great distress, suffering, or misfortune. For example, "The accident was "a terrible thing" for the entire family".

What are some alternatives to saying "a terrible thing"?

Alternatives include "a horrid thing", "a dreadful thing", or "a tragic event", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as "a terrible thing"?

No, it is most appropriate when the subject matter is genuinely serious and causes significant distress or suffering. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can diminish its impact.

What's the difference between "a terrible thing" and "a bad thing"?

"A bad thing" is a more general term for something undesirable. "A terrible thing" implies a greater degree of severity, suggesting something extremely unpleasant or distressing.