awful report

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awful report" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a report that is of poor quality or contains negative information. Example: "After reviewing the awful report, we realized that significant changes were needed in our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The awful report of ships sunk, aground and hopeless brought out the worst in some of the officials.

The New York Times

It is now clear that the American economy has yet to reattain its previous peak in real output, achieved three full years ago.If nothing else, this awful report helps to solve a number of lingering mysteries concerning the crisis.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

No way was I reading those awful reports aloud, and no way were they moving the finish line.

The New York Times

That's without the awful reports of operations gone wrong, the unqualified butchers, the backstreet conmen and the deaths they have caused.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But over the course of this parliament, though we have made some progress in the anti-stigma campaign – if not enough to prevent some awful reporting of the Germanwings tragedy – on services I believe we have gone backwards.

The Guardian - Opinion

Surely you remember those awful reports about the antics of Chuck and Di Laurence (not "Larry") Leigh BeirutYO, ECONOMIST – I was scandalised to learn I had been previously scandalised without even knowing it, when I read that Gordon Brown had "scandalised Americans" by referring to our president as "Barack".

The Economist

However the media deserve much of the blame for the public's ignorance due to their awful reporting of budget issues.

Huffington Post

The big news heading into the weekend was almost guaranteed to be the awful jobs report released by the Labor Department Friday morning.

The New York Times

Spiegel has always gone by his gut, but this awful earnings report should give him indigestion.

TechCrunch

But his "so-called" defense is a reminder of some larger, awful truths: reporting this sort of crime is in no way easy, and exposes a person to insinuations, as well as pain; and children who have been abused can be set on difficult paths.

The New Yorker

Anyone with a child might be in the position of hearing awful, alarming reports on the news, and then rushing to text sons or daughters, wondering if even that is safe, or if the sound of the alert might reveal their child's hiding place to a shooter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "awful report", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the report awful. Providing specific details will enhance the impact and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a report is "awful" without providing any supporting details. This can come across as vague and unconvincing. Always follow up with concrete reasons or examples to justify your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful report" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "awful" modifies the noun "report". It serves to describe the report's negative quality or content, indicating that it is of poor standard or contains bad news. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awful report" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a report of poor quality or containing negative information. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for general written English. It primarily functions as a noun phrase to express disapproval or concern. While the register is neutral, it's advisable to provide specific details about the report's shortcomings to enhance clarity. Though its frequency is rare, its usage is most prevalent in News & Media. Consider alternatives such as "terrible report" or "poor report" to match different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible report

Replaces "awful" with a synonym indicating severe negativity.

dreadful report

Substitutes "awful" with another strong word for unpleasantness.

horrendous report

Emphasizes the shocking and terrible nature of the report.

poor report

Indicates a lack of quality or insufficient standards.

substandard report

Highlights the report's failure to meet expected levels.

deficient report

Focuses on the report's shortcomings and missing elements.

unacceptable report

Stresses that the report does not meet required criteria.

disappointing report

Conveys the feeling of unmet expectations regarding the report.

grim report

Highlights the bleak and depressing nature of the report's findings.

distressing report

Emphasizes the troubling and upsetting nature of the report's content.

FAQs

What does "awful report" mean?

An "awful report" describes a document or account that is extremely bad, unpleasant, or of very poor quality. It suggests that the information contained within is negative or concerning.

What can I say instead of "awful report"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible report", "dreadful report", or "poor report" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "awful report" a formal or informal expression?

While generally acceptable, "awful report" leans slightly towards the informal side. In highly formal contexts, consider using more professional synonyms like "substandard report" or "unacceptable report".

How can I effectively use the phrase "awful report" in a sentence?

To effectively use "awful report", provide context. For example: "The company's earnings for Q2 were detailed in an "awful report", showing a significant decrease in profits".