badly torn

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly torn" is a correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It describes something that has been torn or ripped in a severe manner. Example: The book was badly torn, with pages missing and the cover hanging off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The grown-up bed, meanwhile, had a badly torn sheet.

The New York Times - Travel

Badly torn in conscience, he twice visited Martin Luther at Wittenberg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Male prisoners had been sodomized with truncheons, and women raped so violently, so frequently, that their reproductive organs had been badly torn.

The New Yorker

But South Africa is badly torn over the Zuma case, and the dividing line is not as simple as a belief in guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

He suffered a badly torn ligament in his wrist and in 2003 was banned for nine months after testing positive for clenbuterol, a drug used to treat asthma, a condition from which he suffers, that can also promote muscle growth.

The Guardian - Sport

He'd taken with him, wrapped in his own underwear in the rucksack he brought his things in, the single sneaker mended with duct tape, a badly torn, stained and foul-smelling gunmetal-gray sneaker probably twice the size of his own shoes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The 34-year-old has a long history of injury troubles, with his most recent serious ailment coming four months ago when he badly tore his hamstring in the final Test of the summer Ashes series.

Independent

He had a horrific injury against Newcastle last September, one where he badly tore his hamstring.

BBC

The lino on the floors is badly worn, torn in many places.

Unicef

A woman cornered me the other day to tell me about how badly she tore during labour, and how much she screamed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Ode" (1999) contains a beautiful charcoal portrait, on recycled floor boards, perhaps from an old barn, of a well-dressed man standing beside an empty easy chair, in front of which are two badly neglected and torn velvet chairs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, use "badly torn" to vividly convey the extent of the damage and the force involved in the tearing.

Common error

Avoid using "badly torn" to describe emotional states or abstract concepts; instead, opt for phrases like "deeply troubled" or "severely strained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly torn" functions as a descriptive element, specifically modifying a noun to indicate the severe state of being torn. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing the condition of objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "badly torn" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that has suffered severe tearing. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the extent of damage and is widely used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it's best suited for describing physical objects and should be used with consideration in abstract contexts. Alternatives like "severely ripped" or "heavily damaged" can be used to add nuance or variety to your writing. Overall, "badly torn" is a valuable and descriptive phrase to have in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely ripped

Emphasizes the act of ripping with a strong intensity.

heavily damaged

Focuses on the extent of the damage rather than the tearing action.

seriously damaged

Highlights the significant impact of the damage.

badly damaged

Similar to "badly torn" but more general, encompassing various forms of damage.

severely damaged

Similar to "heavily damaged" but puts more stress on a more extreme level of damage

extensively damaged

Highlights the widespread nature of the damage.

irreparably damaged

Indicates that the damage is beyond repair.

tattered

Describes something old and torn.

shredded

Suggests something torn into many small pieces.

in tatters

A more figurative way of saying something is ruined or destroyed.

FAQs

What does "badly torn" mean?

"Badly torn" describes something that has been ripped or damaged severely, indicating a significant degree of tearing.

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

You can use "badly torn" to describe physical objects like "The flag was "badly torn" after the storm" or "The book's cover was "badly torn"".

What can I say instead of "badly torn"?

You can use alternatives like "severely ripped", "heavily damaged", or "in tatters" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "badly torn" in formal writing?

Yes, "badly torn" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing when describing physical damage. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it's the most suitable phrase. In business writing may be better suited to say damaged.