awfully impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong admiration for something that is surprisingly good or remarkable, often with a hint of irony. Example: "The magician's performance was awfully impressive, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's awfully impressive.

Independent

That would be an awfully impressive lineup".

The New York Times - Arts

In retrospect, the original Lupa team was awfully impressive.

The New York Times - Food

Even the judge seemed proud, praising the squatters for "an awfully impressive effort on their part".

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's awfully impressive, to go out there and shoot a round like that when he absolutely has to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

But check your optimism at the door; while Iguodala has been awfully impressive from beyond the arc, he is also taking some very difficult, off-balance 3s off the dribble.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Although based on a children's book by Michael Morpurgo, this impressive play, which originated at the National Theatre of Great Britain, tells an awfully grown-up, tense and often brutal tale.

Los Angeles Times

Robinson's players look impressive physical specimens but he will worry that the offloading game they are intent on pursuing is an awfully long way away.

Independent

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awfully impressive", consider the tone you want to convey. While it expresses strong admiration, the "awfully" can also add a touch of understatement or irony. Use it when you want to emphasize impressiveness with a hint of surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully impressive" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, "awfully" can be perceived as slightly informal or colloquial. Opt for alternatives like "remarkably impressive" or "exceptionally impressive" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully impressive" functions as an adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and used to express a strong admiration for something surprisingly good or remarkable, often with a touch of irony.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully impressive" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that conveys strong admiration, often with a hint of surprise. Ludwig confirms its correctness and showcases its prevalence in news and media. While leaning towards a neutral register, writers should consider the subtle nuance of "awfully" and opt for alternatives like "remarkably impressive" in highly formal settings. This analysis offers practical guidance on using the phrase effectively and avoiding common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably impressive

Replaces "awfully" with "remarkably", suggesting a notable degree of impressiveness.

exceptionally impressive

Substitutes "awfully" with "exceptionally", indicating an unusual level of impressiveness.

extraordinarily impressive

Replaces "awfully" with "extraordinarily", emphasizing a very high degree of impressiveness.

incredibly impressive

Uses "incredibly" instead of "awfully" to denote a high level of impressiveness that is almost unbelievable.

highly impressive

A more straightforward way to express that something is very impressive.

extremely impressive

Uses "extremely" in place of "awfully", conveying a strong sense of impressiveness.

tremendously impressive

Replaces "awfully" with "tremendously", suggesting a great amount of impressiveness.

genuinely impressive

Indicates that the impressiveness is sincere and real.

quite impressive

A slightly more understated way to say something is impressive.

undeniably impressive

Highlights that the impressiveness cannot be disputed.

FAQs

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

You can use "awfully impressive" to describe something that is surprisingly or remarkably good. For example, "The dedication and hard work of that volunteer was awfully impressive."

What are some alternatives to saying "awfully impressive"?

You can use alternatives such as "remarkably impressive", "exceptionally impressive", or "incredibly impressive" depending on the context.

Is "awfully impressive" formal or informal?

The phrase "awfully impressive" leans towards the informal side due to the use of "awfully", but it is still generally acceptable in many contexts. In very formal writing, consider using alternatives like "remarkably impressive".

What does "awfully" emphasize in the phrase "awfully impressive"?

The word "awfully" intensifies the adjective "impressive", indicating a high degree of admiration or surprise. It adds a subtle layer of emphasis, suggesting that something is not just impressive, but strikingly so.