completely bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely bad" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something is very or entirely bad, with no redeeming qualities. Example: The new policy was completely bad; it caused chaos and upset within the company, and ultimately led to a decrease in profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

This wasn't always completely bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That would have been completely bad".

The New York Times

This kind of transformation is completely bad.

The New York Times

I was a completely bad boy.

The Guardian - Music

Maybe this isn't a completely bad tradition after all.

The Guardian - Film

"This is completely bad behavior that we brought from our hometown".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And, if American diplomacy fails completely, only bad options will be left.

The Economist

"This is a market operation that will reinforce the capital position of the bank and free it completely of bad loans.

The Guardian - Business

Ultimately, there's only one word that leaves me completely stumped not bad, I think, mentally patting myself on the back.

The New Yorker

MOS score       Completely different Bad Acceptable Good Very good   1 2 3 4 5   □ □ □ □ □   B.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The few exceptions to this pattern in the past century have involved the emergence of completely different bad forces than the ones that created and contributed to the bear market.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely bad", ensure the context clearly supports such a strong negative assessment. Overuse can diminish its impact; reserve it for truly dire situations.

Common error

Avoid using "completely bad" to describe minor inconveniences or subjective dislikes. It's a strong phrase best reserved for situations with serious negative consequences. Using it lightly dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely bad" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of utter negativity or unacceptability. As supported by Ludwig, it's used to express a strong negative assessment, highlighting the absence of any redeeming qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely bad" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to convey a strong negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is entirely negative and lacks any redeeming qualities. Its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, wiki articles, and scientific publications, maintaining a neutral formality level. While effective in expressing strong disapproval, it's essential to use it judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "utterly awful" or "totally unacceptable" depending on the context. The phrase appears most frequently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely negative

Replaces "bad" with a more formal synonym, "negative", maintaining the sense of totality.

utterly awful

Substitutes both words with stronger, more emotive alternatives, amplifying the negative connotation.

totally unacceptable

Shifts the focus to the unacceptability of something, rather than its inherent badness.

absolutely terrible

Uses a more emphatic intensifier ("absolutely") and a common synonym for "bad".

wholly inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency or lack of quality, changing the perspective slightly.

thoroughly disappointing

Highlights the disappointment caused, rather than the general badness.

hopelessly flawed

Emphasizes the presence of flaws that cannot be remedied, adding a sense of inevitability.

irreparably damaged

Suggests a permanent state of damage, moving away from a general assessment of badness.

irredeemably flawed

Highlights that the object has flaws that can't be compensated for.

seriously deficient

Focuses more on the lack of necessary elements and is less emphatic.

FAQs

How can I use "completely bad" in a sentence?

You can use "completely bad" to describe situations, objects, or ideas that have no redeeming qualities. For example, "The weather was "completely bad" all week, ruining our vacation plans."

What can I say instead of "completely bad"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly awful", "totally unacceptable", or "absolutely terrible" depending on the context.

Is "completely bad" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "completely bad" is a strong phrase that might sound overly dramatic in casual settings. Consider less intense alternatives like "pretty bad" or "not good" for lighter situations.

What's the difference between "completely bad" and "mostly bad"?

"Completely bad" implies that something is entirely negative, with no positive aspects. "Mostly bad" suggests that while there are negative elements, some positive aspects may still be present.