awfully bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity of something being bad or poor in quality. Example: "The movie was awfully bad; I couldn't even sit through the entire thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It's awfully bad down the road.

The New Yorker

It's an awfully bad reflection on our characters.

The New Yorker

And all that sun exposure was awfully bad for you in any case.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I do feel for him, because he really wanted to play awfully bad".

The New York Times - Sports

The sell-off in the gilts market last week was ominous; the economy has an awfully bad smell.

The Guardian - Business

"It ain't too awfully bad," Brandon Cook, of Cook's Barbecue, in Lexington, said of the routine, as we watched him arrange coals under some pork shoulders.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The assumption that state schooling is bad is an awfully big one.

The Economist

Awfully, horrendously bad.

Huffington Post

It's awfully tough.

The New York Times - Sports

It's awfully big.

The New York Times

The power of belief is awfully big and awfully important".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully bad" to emphasize the severity of something negative, but be mindful of the context and audience. While widely accepted, it can sometimes sound informal or slightly dated.

Common error

While "awfully bad" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated language to convey the same meaning, such as "exceptionally poor" or "seriously flawed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully bad" primarily functions as an intensifier + adjective. The adverb "awfully" modifies the adjective "bad", emphasizing the severity or degree of negativity. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awfully bad" functions as an adverb-adjective combination to express something of poor quality or a negative experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "awfully bad" is commonly found in news and media, wiki and science contexts, it's less appropriate for more formal or academic settings. Alternatives such as "terribly bad" or "extremely bad" may be preferable in such instances. Remember to consider your audience and the context of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly bad

Similar in meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the degree of negativity.

extremely bad

A more straightforward and less nuanced way to express a high degree of negativity.

dreadfully bad

Emphasizes the unpleasant or fearful nature of something that is bad.

horrendously bad

Highlights the shocking or appalling quality of something negative.

remarkably poor

Focuses on the substandard quality or performance of something.

exceptionally awful

Stresses the unusual or outstanding degree of awfulness.

particularly terrible

Indicates that something is especially bad or unpleasant.

singularly inadequate

Emphasizes the unique or distinct lack of quality or suitability.

woefully inadequate

Implies that something is deeply disappointing or insufficient.

seriously flawed

Focuses on the presence of significant defects or imperfections.

FAQs

What does "awfully bad" mean?

"Awfully bad" means something is extremely or severely bad. The word "awfully" is used as an intensifier to emphasize the degree of badness.

What can I say instead of "awfully bad"?

You can use alternatives like "terribly bad", "extremely bad", or "dreadfully bad" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "awfully bad"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Awfully" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "bad". It is a common and accepted usage in English.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "awfully bad"?

The phrase "awfully bad" is appropriate in informal and general contexts, such as everyday conversations, news reports, and online content. However, in formal or academic writing, you might consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives.