downright bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is very bad or of poor quality. Example: "The movie was downright bad, with a weak plot and terrible acting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

No one was downright bad, but there were standouts.

The New York Times - Arts

Not mincing words, 52percentt of top chiefs surveyed called current business conditions downright "bad".

The New York Times

These cookbooks aren't perfect, of course, and the recipes can be uninspired, tricky, even downright bad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most damning is the assertion that many wines regarded as natural are unclean, impure and downright bad.

The New York Times - Food

I can't think of any poem that is downright bad, but there are quite a lot that are average".

Independent

Exhibited alongside these artists, however, is a collection of oddball modernism ranging from the esoteric to the rigorously experimental to the downright bad.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They are jealous, bored, or downright bad-mannered.

WikiHow

Just as short skirts can enhance shapely legs, they can downright condemn bad legs.

Huffington Post

What depresses me about modern movie musicals is that they've become horribly sanitized to appeal to the largest block of viewers, with results that vary from pleasant diversion (Hairspray), to downright, despicably bad (Into the Woods).

Huffington Post

It's a tricky game in good times, and downright dangerous in bad ones.

The New York Times

Writing Secure Code notes that logging on to your computer as a member of the administrators group with privileges to do anything to the computer, some of it downright nasty is a bad idea, except when absolutely necessary.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright bad" to strongly emphasize the negative quality of something, when a simple "bad" is not strong enough.

Common error

Avoid using "downright bad" in overly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright bad" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize its negative qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is a valid and forceful way to describe something of poor quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "downright bad" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase designed to intensify the negativity associated with the term "bad". Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's prevalent in contexts like News & Media, Wiki, and Science, though less common in more formal business environments. While effective for emphasizing disapproval, consider using more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Remember, this phrase adds significant weight to a negative assessment, making it a powerful tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely awful

Emphasizes the extreme negativity of something, suggesting it is completely unpleasant or unacceptable.

utterly terrible

Highlights the complete inadequacy or unacceptability of something.

completely dreadful

Conveys a sense of intense unpleasantness or inferiority.

plainly awful

Focuses on the obvious and undeniable poor quality of something.

simply dreadful

Emphasizes unpleasant or low quality of something.

thoroughly atrocious

Implies a significant failing or deficiency, indicating something is exceptionally poor.

unquestionably poor

Indicates that the bad quality is so evident that there's no doubt it's bad.

patently substandard

Highlights that something fails to meet established quality benchmarks.

categorically unacceptable

Indicates that something cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

remarkably deficient

Emphasizes the noticeable lack of something necessary or desirable.

FAQs

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

"Downright bad" is used to intensify the adjective "bad", emphasizing the poor quality of something. For example: "The service at the restaurant was "downright bad".".

What are some alternatives to using "downright bad"?

You can use alternatives such as "absolutely awful", "utterly terrible", or "completely dreadful" depending on the context.

Is "downright bad" too informal for professional writing?

While "downright bad" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal in certain professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "patently substandard" or "unquestionably poor" for a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "bad" and "downright bad"?

"Downright bad" intensifies the meaning of "bad", suggesting that something is not just bad, but exceptionally so. It adds emphasis and conveys a stronger negative sentiment.