a very foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very foul" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or offensive, often in relation to smells, behavior, or language. Example: "The room was filled with a very foul odor that made it difficult to breathe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But I'm bad about one thing: at work, I have a very foul mouth.

The New York Times

It emitted a very foul smell," says the second man, who does not identify himself.

The New York Times

"I haven't walked into a space and seen a glass vitrine emitting a very foul smell with a dead cow rotting and flies buzzing.

The Guardian - Arts

And the campaign has dotted the countryside with Burma Shave-like signs, like this series outside Indianola: "Grandma has to decide between pills or food/Putting her in a very foul mood./Al Gore says to make Grandma happy/Make meds cheap and make it snappy./Al Gore for President".

The New York Times

Then he used Rozell's Social Security number to access his cellphone voicemail and record what Rozell describes as "a very foul, vulgar" outgoing message.

Forbes

This point is a misrepresentation at best and a very foul ball.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It definitely was a tough foul, a very tough foul".

The New York Times - Sports

A Hemophilus bacterial infection may cause a creamy, very foul-smelling and often fishy discharge.

The New York Times - Health

What a very bad foul for Spain.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was considered a very hard foul; that's it," said Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers' president.

The New York Times - Sports

Gattuso described the awkward challenge by Clark as a "very dangerous foul," but added: "I don't know, maybe it's not a red card.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very foul" to describe a smell, consider specifying the source of the odor to provide more context and impact. For example, instead of "a very foul smell", try "a very foul odor of decay".

Common error

While "a very foul" is acceptable, it may come across as too informal or harsh in professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary to describe the specific unpleasantness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very foul" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something that is extremely unpleasant or offensive. Examples include describing smells, behavior, or language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very foul" is an adjective phrase used to describe something extremely unpleasant or offensive. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media sources. When writing, it's crucial to assess the situation to ensure it meets the context's communication needs and requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extremely offensive

Replaces 'very' with 'extremely' and 'foul' with 'offensive', emphasizing the intensity of the unpleasantness.

a quite disgusting

Replaces 'foul' with 'disgusting', denoting something that causes strong revulsion.

a deeply offensive

Highlights the level of insult or unpleasantness; uses 'offensive' instead of 'foul'.

a highly disagreeable

Substitutes 'foul' with 'disagreeable' indicating something unpleasant or unacceptable.

an utterly revolting

Intensifies the unpleasantness using 'utterly' and substitutes 'foul' with 'revolting'.

a terribly nasty

Uses 'terribly' to intensify and 'nasty' as a substitute for 'foul', suggesting something very unpleasant or offensive.

a remarkably unpleasant

Suggests something notably disagreeable, replacing 'foul' with 'unpleasant'.

a particularly rank

Employs 'particularly' for emphasis and 'rank' in place of 'foul', typically relating to a strong, unpleasant smell.

a severely objectionable

Emphasizes strong disapproval or dislike, replacing 'foul' with 'objectionable'.

an exceptionally distasteful

Indicates a high degree of aversion, substituting 'foul' with 'distasteful'.

FAQs

How can I use "a very foul" in a sentence?

You can use "a very foul" to describe something extremely unpleasant or offensive. For example, "The air had a very foul odor coming from the nearby factory".

What are some alternatives to "a very foul"?

Alternatives include "extremely offensive", "highly disagreeable", or "utterly revolting" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a very foul" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a very foul" may be too informal for professional or academic contexts. Consider using more precise language to convey the nature of the unpleasantness.

When is it best to use "a very foul" instead of "foul"?

Use "a very foul" when you want to emphasize the intensity of the unpleasantness or offensiveness. The addition of "very" amplifies the descriptive power of the adjective.