absolutely dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong negative opinion about something, indicating that it is extremely bad or unpleasant. Example: "The movie was absolutely dreadful; I couldn't wait for it to end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's long been known that Clinton is an absolutely dreadful place to end up, and that the mere mention of it strikes dread into the hearts of the Empire State's worst criminals.

Vice

It was absolutely dreadful.

The New Yorker

Kentucky is absolutely dreadful.

The New York Times

It was dreadful, absolutely dreadful.

The Guardian

It was an absolutely dreadful time.

Independent

"Oh, his fashion sense was absolutely dreadful.

The Guardian - Music

But the whole evening was absolutely dreadful.

The Guardian - Sport

I thought: "This is absolutely dreadful".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's become the norm, and it's absolutely dreadful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Absolutely dreadful and it took four people to create it.

The Guardian

Anyone who has had a house or an office flooded knows it is absolutely dreadful.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely dreadful" to express strong disapproval or dislike. It is suitable for describing situations, performances, or objects that are extremely unpleasant or of very poor quality.

Common error

While "absolutely dreadful" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "exceptionally poor" or "thoroughly unpleasant" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely dreadful" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "dreadful", strengthening its negative connotation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples illustrate its function in expressing strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely dreadful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express strong negative opinions. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context; more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional or academic settings. Remember, while impactful, overuse can diminish its effectiveness. According to Ludwig, a plethora of examples showcase its common use in various texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly awful

Emphasizes the completely negative nature, similar to "absolutely dreadful" but with a slightly different tone.

completely terrible

Highlights the extreme negativity, much like "absolutely dreadful" but with a focus on the severity of the situation.

thoroughly unpleasant

Focuses on the disagreeable or displeasing aspect, offering a more formal alternative to "absolutely dreadful".

appallingly bad

Stresses the shocking or disturbing quality, akin to "absolutely dreadful" but with a heightened sense of dismay.

exceptionally poor

Underscores the substandard quality, providing a more understated alternative to "absolutely dreadful".

remarkably inferior

Highlights the low quality in a noticeable way, similar to "absolutely dreadful" but with a focus on comparison.

shockingly inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficiency to a surprising degree, like "absolutely dreadful" but with a focus on the lack of quality.

simply atrocious

Stresses the shockingly bad nature, providing a more emphatic alternative to "absolutely dreadful".

downright awful

Highlights the plainly bad nature, akin to "absolutely dreadful" but with a stronger emphasis on directness.

unacceptably substandard

Focuses on failing to meet expectations, unlike "absolutely dreadful" that just indicates strong dislike.

FAQs

How to use "absolutely dreadful" in a sentence?

"Absolutely dreadful" is used to express a very negative opinion. For example, "The weather was absolutely dreadful all week", or "I thought the performance was absolutely dreadful".

What can I say instead of "absolutely dreadful"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly awful", "completely terrible", or "thoroughly unpleasant" depending on the context.

Is "absolutely dreadful" too informal for academic writing?

While understandable, "absolutely dreadful" may be too informal for academic writing. Consider using alternatives like "exceptionally poor" or "remarkably inferior" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "absolutely dreadful" and "slightly disappointing"?

"Absolutely dreadful" indicates a very strong negative feeling, while "slightly disappointing" suggests a milder level of dissatisfaction. The former conveys a sense of extreme unpleasantness, while the latter simply expresses that something did not meet expectations.