a terrible value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a terrible value" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is not worth the price or cost associated with it, indicating poor quality or a bad deal. Example: "The new smartphone is a terrible value considering its limited features and high price tag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A terrible value all around.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's terrible for those facing redundancy, terrible for Sheffield and terrible value for the UK taxpayer," he said.

The Guardian

"Countless experts have warned that for British families this power station will be terrible value for money," he said.

The Guardian - Business

John Sauven, the executive director of Greenpeace, called Hinkley Point "terrible value for money" for British families but said it had become "too big to fail" for politicians.

The Guardian - Business

England, pedestrian against Wales last Saturday, are out to a top-priced 4-1 to win the Championship with Coral while France, equally poor against the Scots in Paris, remain no bigger than 2-1 with Ladbrokes, which is terrible value.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not surprising that it should cost more than the upfront cost of building a hospital to keep it as new over the years, but later PFIs cost roughly four times the upfront capital cost – nearly 10 times is terrible value for money.

The Guardian - Opinion

It ties our members up in needless red tape, it swamps the GPS and renders its selection process haphazard and chaotic, it creates enormous frustrations within the departments that the GPS is meant to be serving - and, worst of all, it represents terrible value for the taxpayer".

Independent

But a lot of progressive rock had terrible values: dry ice, 15-minute guitar solos, gatefold album sleeves.

The Guardian - Music

When I first read it, I winced a little because I struck myself as so superficial and having such terrible values.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We have a guy with no ability to be president, it's hopeless, with terrible values and incompetence galore, and we're just into doomsday right now," he continued.

Huffington Post

Trump has revealed himself to be a narcissistic, xenophobic, hatemonger who, if elected, would legitimize bigotry, appoint Supreme Court justices with terrible values, and have direct access to the button that could set off a nuclear war.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a terrible value", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being assessed and why it's considered a poor deal. Be specific about the factors contributing to its low worth.

Common error

Avoid using "a terrible value" without providing supporting details. It's more effective to specify what makes it a bad deal rather than relying on the phrase alone. For instance, instead of saying "This product is a terrible value", state "This product is a terrible value due to its high price and low durability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible value" functions as a subjective assessment, attributing a negative quality to a noun. As indicated by Ludwig, it conveys the opinion that something is not worth its cost. Examples demonstrate its use in expressing dissatisfaction with the worth of a product or service.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible value" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something isn't worth its cost. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, while examples mainly appear in news and media contexts. To use the phrase effectively, provide specific reasons to justify the assessment, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives like "extremely poor value" or "not worth the expense" may be more appropriate in formal settings. While infrequent, understanding its meaning and proper application is valuable for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely poor value

Emphasizes the degree of poor value.

Awful value

Uses a different adjective to convey the negativity.

Very bad value

Replaces "terrible" with "very bad".

Unacceptably low value

Focuses on the unacceptable nature of the value.

Substandard value

Uses "substandard" to indicate below-average quality for the cost.

Poor return on investment

Frames it in terms of investment return.

Not worth the expense

Highlights the cost aspect.

A waste of money

Directly states the uselessness of the purchase.

Overpriced and underwhelming

Combines price and quality concerns.

Rip-off

An informal term for something overpriced.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "a terrible value"?

It means that the item, service, or investment is not worth the price being asked. It suggests that the quality is poor or that the cost is too high for what you receive.

What can I say instead of "a terrible value"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely poor value", "awful value", or "not worth the expense" depending on the context.

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

While the phrase is understandable, it might be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional language like "poor return on investment" or "substandard value".

How can I explain why something is "a terrible value" effectively?

Provide specific reasons, such as high price, low quality, lack of features, or better alternatives available for the same cost. Comparing it to similar products or services can help illustrate the point.