awfully handy

USAGE SUMMARY

"awfully handy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is very useful or convenient. For example: "This tool is awfully handy for fixing things around the house." Alternative expressions include "extremely useful" and "incredibly convenient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From Berlin to Benghazi, it is becoming increasingly clear that in a crisis it is awfully handy to have a superpower around.

The New York Times

Parent: awfully handy for a man who has written a book about spending days with his two cute little sons in a rustic paradise called Cherry Valley while his wife works as a teacher.

The New York Times - Books

Its 10,000-and-counting active users seem to like it, and it has come in awfully handy this trip: at one point I was hopelessly lost in Addis Ababa, until I realized I had the (surprisingly good) OpenStreetMap of the city on my phone, and my app saved the day.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When Huddersfield, still regrouping, conceded possession awfully cheaply, Ramírez – blessed with a handy knack of reading situations and sensing opportunity seconds before anyone else – found himself one-on-one with Steer and proceeded to round the goalkeeper before dispatching the ball into the roof of the net from an awkward angle.

The Guardian - Sport

5x zoom is handy, though it seems to go in and out awfully slow.

TechCrunch

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

It was awfully high, but awfully lonesome.

The New Yorker

Handy numbers.

The New Yorker

That sounds awfully convenient.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully handy" to describe something that is surprisingly or unexpectedly useful in a particular situation. It adds a touch of informal emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully handy" in formal or professional writing where a more direct and professional tone is preferred. Opt for alternatives like "extremely useful" or "highly beneficial".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully handy" functions as a descriptive expression, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of usefulness or convenience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase and examples show how it is used in context to describe items or abilities that are particularly useful.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awfully handy" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something very useful or convenient. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show it's primarily found in news and media contexts, lending a slightly informal tone. While acceptable, it's best to reserve "awfully handy" for less formal situations and opt for alternatives like "extremely useful" or "incredibly convenient" in professional or academic writing. Keep in mind that alternatives like "highly beneficial" might be more appropriate in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely useful

Replaces "awfully" with "extremely", intensifying the degree of usefulness.

incredibly convenient

Substitutes both words with synonyms emphasizing ease and suitability.

exceptionally practical

Focuses on the pragmatic aspect, highlighting real-world applicability.

remarkably useful

Replaces "awfully" with "remarkably", stressing the surprising level of utility.

highly beneficial

Emphasizes the advantages or positive outcomes resulting from its use.

very advantageous

Highlights the favorable position or circumstances it provides.

decidedly helpful

Replaces "awfully" with "decidedly", suggesting a clear and definite assistance.

particularly valuable

Stresses the importance and worth of the item or skill being described.

terribly convenient

Maintains the structure but changes 'awfully' to 'terribly' for a slightly different tone.

exceedingly serviceable

A more formal alternative emphasizing the quality of being useful and reliable.

FAQs

What does "awfully handy" mean?

The phrase "awfully handy" means something is very useful or convenient. The adverb "awfully" intensifies the adjective "handy".

Is "awfully handy" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "extremely useful" or "incredibly convenient".

What are some alternatives to "awfully handy"?

Alternatives include "extremely useful", "very convenient", "highly practical", or "remarkably useful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "awfully handy" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully handy" to describe a tool, skill, or resource that is particularly useful in a given situation. For example: "This tool is "awfully handy" for fixing things around the house."