awful act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awful act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deed or action that is considered morally wrong or extremely unpleasant. Example: "The community was in shock after the awful act of vandalism that occurred last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Rather than taking revenge, we should seek the good that might come from his awful act.

The New York Times

I want to know every awful act committed in the name of self-defense and patriotism.

The New York Times

The awful act in "The Burgess Boys" is so strange that the book can hardly accommodate it.

The New York Times - Books

Booing can call forth the Executioner — a theater jester who dances the awful act offstage — while cheering ultimately chooses the winners.

The New York Times - Arts

Even so, she argued that the jury had an obligation to understand not just Smith's awful act but her whole life leading up to that moment.

The New Yorker

Standing behind Sheriff Bailey during an evening news conference, Gov. Rick Snyder called the shooting an "awful act," and urged residents to stand together in Michigan and elsewhere.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If a moral system justifies awful acts consistently, it can't be a basis for moral deliberation.

The Guardian

"Even with the most awful acts, I've been interested in the consequences of such an act on the perpetrator," he said.

Independent

He has plans to commit awful acts of sabotage like flushing strange things down the toilet, because here there is a toilet to flush.

The Washington Post

In its briskly essayistic way, Humiliation moves unapologetically from such trivial cases to the most profound and awful acts of humiliation.

The Guardian - Books

It is absolutely unacceptable for even a single peacekeeping soldier to be involved in these awful acts," Onanga-Anyanga told a news conference in Bangui.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awful act", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it the moral wrongness, the unpleasantness, or the shocking nature of the event that you wish to emphasize? Choose synonyms accordingly for greater precision.

Common error

While "awful act" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "bad thing" or "nasty business" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful act" functions as a noun phrase where "awful" is an adjective modifying the noun "act". Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is grammatically correct and widely used, serving to describe actions deemed morally reprehensible or deeply unpleasant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awful act" is a commonly used phrase to describe a morally wrong or unpleasant action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and used in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news and media. While its meaning is clear, considering related phrases like "terrible deed" or "horrific event" can help refine your writing. When employing the phrase "awful act", be mindful of the context and choose synonyms appropriately to precisely capture the intended tone and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible deed

Emphasizes the gravity and negative consequences of the action.

horrific event

Highlights the shocking and disturbing nature of the occurrence.

egregious action

Focuses on the offensiveness and reprehensibility of the behavior.

dreadful incident

Underscores the fear and distress associated with the situation.

atrocious behavior

Stresses the cruelty and lack of humanity in the conduct.

heinous crime

Specifically denotes a severe violation of the law.

unspeakable atrocity

Emphasizes that the act is too dreadful to describe.

deplorable conduct

Highlights the blameworthiness and unacceptability of the behavior.

reprehensible deed

Focuses on the deserving of criticism and condemnation nature of the action

shocking offense

Highlights the surprise and outrage generated by the wrongdoing.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "awful act"?

Alternatives for "awful act" include "terrible deed", "horrific event", "egregious action", or "heinous crime", each carrying slightly different connotations.

How can I use "awful act" in a sentence?

You can use "awful act" to describe a morally wrong or extremely unpleasant action. For example, "The community condemned the "awful act" of vandalism." It is commonly used in news and media contexts.

What is the difference between "awful act" and "bad deed"?

"Awful act" typically implies a greater degree of severity or moral repugnance compared to "bad deed". While a "bad deed" might refer to a minor transgression, an "awful act" suggests something truly terrible.

Is "awful act" formal or informal?

"Awful act" is suitable for neutral and formal contexts, like news reports or analytical essays. In casual conversation, consider using less dramatic alternatives like "bad thing" or "nasty business".