badly hurt

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly hurt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe physical injuries or emotional pain. Example: "After the car accident, John was badly hurt and had to be rushed to the hospital." In this example, "badly hurt" is used to describe the severity of John's injuries from the car accident. It conveys that he was seriously injured and needed immediate medical attention. Another example could be: "Samantha's heart was badly hurt when her best friend betrayed her trust." In this sentence, "badly hurt" is used to express the emotional pain Samantha experienced as a result of her friend's actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Neither was badly hurt.

The New Yorker

Orville was badly hurt.

The New York Times

McMahon is badly hurt".

The New Yorker

She was not badly hurt.

The New York Times

"Our morale was badly hurt".

The Economist

But Alfredsson was badly hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Thailand is already badly hurt.

The Economist

It's amazing we weren't badly hurt".

The New York Times

You could have been badly hurt.

The New Yorker

Nobody in the house was badly hurt.

The New York Times

Birds keep on fighting although badly hurt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an accident, use "badly hurt" to emphasize the severity of injuries sustained. For less severe situations, consider alternatives like "slightly injured" or "scratched."

Common error

Using "badly hurt" for minor injuries or inconveniences dilutes its impact. Reserve this phrase for scenarios involving significant physical or emotional trauma to maintain clarity and appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly hurt" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, where "badly" modifies the verb "hurt" to intensify the degree of injury or emotional distress. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and can describe both physical injuries and emotional pain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly hurt" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe significant physical or emotional harm. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys the severity of an injury or the depth of emotional distress. While primarily found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts. Related phrases like ""severely injured"" or ""deeply affected"" can offer alternative ways to express the same sentiment with slightly different emphasis. Remember to reserve "badly hurt" for situations where the harm is truly significant to maintain its impact and avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely injured

Focuses on the severity of the physical injury.

gravely wounded

Emphasizes a serious or life-threatening injury, often in a dramatic context.

seriously harmed

Indicates significant damage or injury, not necessarily physical.

critically injured

Highlights that the injury is life-threatening and requires immediate attention.

terribly wounded

Emphasizes the intensity and severity of the wound.

heavily damaged

Refers to significant damage, which may be physical or abstract.

sorely wounded

Indicates a wound causing emotional distress or pain.

desperately hurt

Highlights the emotional or psychological pain experienced.

deeply affected

Focuses on the profound emotional or psychological impact.

considerably impaired

Highlights reduced functionality or capability due to damage or injury.

FAQs

How can I use "badly hurt" in a sentence?

You can use "badly hurt" to describe someone who has suffered significant physical or emotional harm. For example, "She was "severely injured" in the accident" or "His feelings were "deeply affected" by her betrayal."

What are some alternatives to saying "badly hurt"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""severely injured"", "seriously harmed", "gravely wounded", or ""deeply affected"".

Is it appropriate to use "badly hurt" to describe emotional distress?

Yes, "badly hurt" can be used to describe emotional distress, although it's more commonly associated with physical injury. Phrases like ""deeply affected"" or "sorely wounded" might be more suitable in some cases.

What's the difference between "badly hurt" and "seriously injured"?

While both phrases indicate a significant level of harm, "seriously injured" typically refers to physical harm, whereas "badly hurt" can refer to either physical or emotional distress. Both are often interchangeable, although "seriously injured" is usually preferred to communicate physical distress.