dreadful concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful concept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong negative opinion about an idea or notion that you find unpleasant or unacceptable. Example: "The proposal for a four-day workweek was met with skepticism, as many considered it a dreadful concept that would disrupt productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Giving to the gifted child a different, and implicitly superior, kind of schooling is precisely the attraction of grammars to those who think they are a fantastic idea; just as it is why they are so passionately opposed by the many critics, among them the chief inspector of schools, who think that segregating children is a dreadful concept.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, sins only exist if you actually believe in the dreadful concept, which means you also probably believe you are a flawed, miserable fleshball who can do nothing but sin, and therefore God -- who is, sadly, way, way out there, completely separate from you -- is ever staring down with those giant, disapproving eyes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The idea might seem dreadful in concept.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a sad indictment of how we now view "natural services" - a dreadful, modern-day concept - that bees are now little more than a data point on a spreadsheet.

The Guardian

"Ugly," however, is not originally an aesthetic concept but an emotional term, meaning "dreadful".

The New York Times

Too bad the same concepts can't be used to fix the dreadful Kings.

Los Angeles Times

Yes, Toyota used both "millennial" and "casualcore" to dreadful effect in the press release for the new FT-4X crossover SUV concept it revealed during the New York International Auto Show.

TechCrunch

Dreadful effort.

The New York Times

"Perfectly dreadful.

The New Yorker

Dreadful creature!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Awful, dreadful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful concept" to express strong disapproval, especially when emphasizing the inherent flaw or potential negative consequences of an idea. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful concept" when a milder term like "unfavorable idea" or "problematic concept" would suffice. The strength of "dreadful" can be excessive if the situation doesn't warrant such negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful concept" functions as a noun phrase, where "dreadful" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "concept". It serves to categorize a concept negatively, indicating a strong sense of disapproval or aversion. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its usability for expressing negative opinions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful concept" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval of an idea. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and usable. While it is not a particularly common phrase, appearing rarely in the analyzed examples, its usage is appropriate for conveying a negative evaluation, mainly found in News & Media. When a milder tone is required, alternatives such as "terrible idea" or "problematic concept" might be more suitable. Therefore, be mindful of the strength and potential impact of using the expression "dreadful concept".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible idea

Emphasizes the poor quality or unsuitability of the idea itself.

awful notion

Highlights the unpleasant or disagreeable nature of the notion.

horrendous plan

Focuses on the shocking or appalling nature of the plan.

appalling idea

Stresses the shocking or offensive nature of the idea.

unacceptable proposition

Indicates that the proposition is not tolerable or allowable.

distasteful concept

Highlights the unpleasant or offensive nature of the concept.

objectionable idea

Suggests that the idea is likely to cause disagreement or opposition.

ludicrous concept

Emphasizes the absurdity or ridiculousness of the concept.

inadvisable scheme

Indicates that the scheme is unwise or imprudent.

ill-conceived plan

Highlights the lack of careful thought or planning behind the plan.

FAQs

How can I use "dreadful concept" in a sentence?

You can use "dreadful concept" to express strong disapproval of an idea. For example: "The proposal for mandatory overtime was viewed as a "dreadful concept" by the employees."

What can I say instead of "dreadful concept"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible idea", "awful notion", or "unacceptable proposition" depending on the context.

Is "dreadful concept" too strong for formal writing?

While "dreadful concept" is understandable, consider using more neutral terms like "problematic idea" or "unfavorable concept" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "dreadful concept" and "bad idea"?

"Dreadful concept" implies a stronger sense of aversion and potential harm than simply a "bad idea". "Dreadful" suggests something is deeply flawed and likely to have severe negative consequences.