a totally bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a totally bad" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used informally to describe something that is very negative or undesirable, but it is considered colloquial and may not be appropriate in formal writing. Example: "The movie was a totally bad experience; I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A totally bad move, and not that long ago!

Independent

They had just been to a DARE drug education class and informed him "that it's a totally bad thing to take drugs," he said.

The New York Times - Style

It was a totally bad race and I'm just pleased I won".

BBC

It was a totally bad race and I'm just pleased I won". Mon 04 Apr 11: "Champs" is no ordinary school sports day - there are no egg and spoon races here.

BBC

In his work, Oldenburg writes, "Individuals who start their day in a friendly coffee circle will never have a totally bad day and have already developed a degree of immunity from the mean-spirited and unhappy people that the second place often harbors". But if Starbucks keeps down the road it's on?

Forbes

"We saw those three things right away, and we thought, 'Oh, if none of these other characters on there mattered, we knew this was a totally bad crew.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But I concede that no matter how much we preach that getting a refund isn't great, it's not totally bad either.

The Washington Post

"If, with all our other problems, we couldn't have cappuccino, then it would be totally bad," said Ms. Gulyamova, who is a magazine editor.

The New York Times

It was totally bad timing.

The New York Times

For him, NAFTA and free trade have been "totally bad".

The Economist

The internet as it relates to locality is of course not totally bad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal communication, opt for more grammatically accepted alternatives like "completely awful" or "utterly terrible" instead of the colloquial phrase "a totally bad".

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "a totally bad" in academic papers, business reports, or other professional communications. The informal tone may undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while informal, functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, aiming to express a strong negative assessment. Although Ludwig considers the phrase incorrect in Standard English, in the examples it's still clear that this phrase's function is to provide a negative description.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a totally bad" is used to express a negative assessment, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English, as Ludwig AI points out. Its usage is more appropriate in informal contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news media and wiki sources. For formal communication, alternatives such as "completely awful" or "utterly terrible" are recommended. It's essential to consider the audience and context when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely awful

Emphasizes the extreme negativity; slightly stronger and more formal.

utterly terrible

Similar to "completely awful" but can imply a deeper sense of dismay.

absolutely dreadful

Implies a strong feeling of unpleasantness; more emphatic.

thoroughly unpleasant

Focuses on the disagreeable nature of something.

wholly unsatisfactory

Highlights a lack of fulfillment or expectation.

a complete disaster

Highlights the disastrous nature of something. More emphatic.

a total failure

Focuses on the lack of success; direct and clear.

entirely negative

Emphasizes the complete absence of positive aspects.

downright awful

Uses informal emphasis to express strong disapproval.

exceptionally poor

Highlights the subpar quality or performance.

FAQs

Is "a totally bad" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "a totally bad" is not correct in standard written English. Consider using alternatives like "completely awful" or "utterly terrible".

What does "a totally bad" mean?

The phrase "a totally bad" is an informal way of saying something is very negative or undesirable. It's similar in meaning to "completely awful" or "utterly terrible".

When is it okay to use "a totally bad"?

It's acceptable in informal settings like casual conversations or informal writing. However, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts where clear and grammatically correct language is expected.

What are some stronger alternatives to "a totally bad"?

For stronger emphasis, consider phrases like "absolutely dreadful" or "a complete disaster". These alternatives convey a more intense negative feeling.