awfully nice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully nice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is surprisingly or exceptionally nice, often with a hint of irony or emphasis. Example: "The weather today is awfully nice for a winter day; I didn't expect it to be so warm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Little Owl's juicy burgers on Bedford Street aren't nicely priced, but they're awfully nice.

The New York Times

Why, he's awfully nice.

The New Yorker

"It's awfully nice.

The New York Times - Arts

It's very last century, but awfully nice.

The New York Times - Food

That's awfully nice of you," Joel joked.

The New Yorker

Sisu seem like an awfully nice bunch.

The Guardian - Sport

I've had an awfully nice time".

The New Yorker

An awfully nice job by Kramnik.

The New York Times

It seems like an awfully nice place.

The Guardian - Opinion

He seems like an awfully nice guy".

The New York Times - Style

She said, "This is awfully nice" and then I proposed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "awfully nice", as it can sometimes come across as ironic or subtly sarcastic depending on the delivery.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully nice" in situations where a more sincere or direct expression of gratitude is needed. The adverb "awfully" can sometimes create a sense of understatement that may not convey the intended level of appreciation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully nice" primarily functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective. According to Ludwig, it's used to emphasize the quality of niceness. Examples show it modifying nouns indirectly, suggesting a characteristic or trait.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awfully nice" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey approval or appreciation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase for emphasizing the quality of being "nice". While generally neutral in register, its slightly old-fashioned tone should be considered depending on the context and audience. It's most frequently found in News & Media. Consider alternatives like "extremely pleasant" or "remarkably kind" to tailor the nuance to your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely pleasant

Replaces "nice" with "pleasant" and "awfully" with "extremely", emphasizing the degree of pleasure derived.

remarkably kind

Substitutes "nice" with "kind" and "awfully" with "remarkably", focusing on the kindness aspect.

exceptionally agreeable

Replaces "nice" with "agreeable" and "awfully" with "exceptionally", highlighting the quality of being pleasing and in agreement.

really lovely

Substitutes "awfully nice" with "really lovely", offering a simpler and more direct expression of pleasure.

incredibly amiable

Uses "amiable" instead of "nice" and "incredibly" instead of "awfully", emphasizing friendliness and sociability.

extraordinarily gracious

Substitutes "nice" with "gracious" and "awfully" with "extraordinarily", focusing on politeness and generosity.

wonderfully charming

Replaces "nice" with "charming" and "awfully" with "wonderfully", emphasizing attractiveness and appeal.

terribly good

Employs "good" instead of "nice" and "terribly" instead of "awfully", adding a slightly old-fashioned tone.

surprisingly delightful

Replaces "nice" with "delightful" and "awfully" with "surprisingly", suggesting an unexpected pleasure.

unusually considerate

Uses "considerate" instead of "nice" and "unusually" instead of "awfully", highlighting thoughtfulness towards others.

FAQs

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

You can use "awfully nice" to describe something surprisingly or exceptionally pleasant. For example, "It's "awfully nice" of you to offer help" or "The weather is "awfully nice" today".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "awfully nice"?

Alternatives include "extremely pleasant", "remarkably kind", "exceptionally agreeable", or "really lovely" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "awfully nice", or is it outdated?

The phrase "awfully nice" is grammatically correct and still usable, though it may sound slightly old-fashioned to some. Ludwig confirms its validity.

When might "awfully nice" sound sarcastic?

If said with a particular tone of voice or in a situation where the reality is the opposite of nice, "awfully nice" can imply sarcasm. Context is key to interpreting the intended meaning.