but less terribly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but less terribly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two situations or conditions, indicating that one is not as bad as the other. Example: "The weather today is still cold, but less terribly than it was last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since any level below 50 indicates contraction, this suggested that manufacturing was still doing badly but less terribly than before.More generally across the economy, a fall in inventories has been exacerbating the recession as firms meet demand from stocks rather than new production.

The Economist

It's pretty much the same thing as "Talking Dead" but with less zombies and way more a terribly awesome bread puns.

Huffington Post

The 3D-printed rendering appears to be less than a foot high, and is arresting but not terribly engrossing.

Vice

"But nothing terribly dramatic".

The New York Times

But, being terribly early, 7pm is also terribly unlikely.

The Guardian

But then, terribly, scientists starting dying.

The New Yorker

He has high magnetism but is terribly gaffe-prone.

The New Yorker

Neat, I suppose, but probably terribly boring.

TechCrunch

Nothing great but not terribly bad.

TechCrunch

"Naturally I am disappointed but not terribly surprised.

BBC

Important, but not terribly informative.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but less terribly" to show a noticeable, yet incomplete, improvement in a negative situation. It acknowledges the negativity while highlighting a reduction in its intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "but less terribly" when the situation has significantly improved or resolved. It's best suited for scenarios where negativity persists, albeit to a lesser extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but less terribly" functions as a conjunction that introduces a contrast while also indicating a degree of mitigation. It connects two ideas, suggesting that while a negative situation persists, its intensity has decreased. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Wiki

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Encyclopedias

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but less terribly" is a grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to express a mitigated negative condition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although the phrase has a limited number of real-world examples, indicating that it is not a common expression. It functions to acknowledge an existing problem while also highlighting a reduction in its severity or intensity. It's best used to temper expectations and provide a balanced assessment where the situation is still negative to some extent. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "but not as badly" or "but not as severely". Use this phrase thoughtfully, remembering that overstating improvement may be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not as terribly

Rephrases using "not as" for direct comparison.

but somewhat less awful

Substitutes "terribly" with "awful" and includes "somewhat" for softened emphasis.

but not quite so bad

Uses "not quite so bad" to convey a lessened negative impact.

but to a lesser degree

Employs a more formal tone using "degree" to indicate reduced intensity.

but with reduced severity

Replaces "terribly" with "severity" for a focus on intensity.

but not as severely

Directly contrasts the severity of a situation.

though less devastatingly

Uses "devastatingly" to amplify the initial negative condition while still noting a reduction.

although not so frighteningly

Incorporates "frighteningly" to describe a source of fear that has diminished.

but with decreased intensity

Emphasizes the reduction in intensity of an action or feeling.

however, not as dreadfully

Substitutes "terribly" with "dreadfully" to highlight a reduction in fear or apprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "but less terribly" in a sentence?

The phrase "but less terribly" is used to express that a situation is still negative, but not as severely as it was previously. For example, "The economy is still struggling, but less terribly than last year."

What are some alternatives to "but less terribly"?

You can use alternatives like "but not as badly", "but not as severely", or "but to a lesser degree" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but less terribly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The construction "but less + adverb" is a valid way to express a comparative reduction in intensity or degree.

What's the difference between "but less terribly" and "but not terribly"?

"But less terribly" implies there was a previously terrible situation that is now somewhat improved. "But not terribly" suggests something isn't particularly bad to begin with.