dreadful occasion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful occasion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that is very unfortunate or distressing. Example: "The funeral was a dreadful occasion, filled with sorrow and mourning for the loss of a beloved friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It has become a dreadful occasion of anguish to-day conjecturing how much torture even a saint can put up with if the end is certainly not to be a spectacular martyrdom - but "vaporisation".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I try to turn every moment into a learning occasion...and as dreadful as this year's event was, I can still pull through a few things to learn.

Huffington Post

Close friends have intervened with him on occasion, worried that he is working nonstop and looking dreadful and that his life appears in disarray.

The New York Times - Magazine

When colleagues gave him a lunch, knowing the dreadful prognosis, it was Dan who took the lead in making the occasion light-hearted and enjoyable.

The Guardian

"The really dreadful losses of the past few years (and on many similar occasions before) were realized in those common stock issues where the buyer forgot to ask, 'How much?'".

Forbes

The defending might have been dreadful at times but that probably made it even better as a spectacle and an occasion.

The Guardian - Sport

"'To finally make'?!" squeals Luke Williams, from pedant HQ. "Dreadful split infinitive - kindly desist from such American syntax on this great English sporting occasion".

The Guardian - Sport

Dreadful effort.

The New York Times

"Perfectly dreadful.

The New Yorker

How dreadful".

The Guardian - Opinion

Just dreadful!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dreadful occasion" when you want to emphasize the unpleasant and unwelcome nature of an event, suggesting it caused significant distress or suffering.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful occasion" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place; opt for simpler terms like "bad time" or "unfortunate event".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful occasion" functions as a noun phrase where "dreadful" modifies the noun "occasion". It describes a specific instance or event characterized by unpleasantness or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dreadful occasion" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an event characterized by unpleasantness or suffering. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, its occurrence is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "terrible event" or "tragic event" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis or formality. When employing the phrase, it's advisable to reserve it for situations where a serious and somewhat formal tone is fitting, avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible event

Replaces "occasion" with "event" and "dreadful" with "terrible", keeping a negative connotation.

horrific incident

Substitutes "occasion" with "incident" and "dreadful" with "horrific", intensifying the negative feeling.

tragic event

Emphasizes the sorrowful aspect, swapping "dreadful" for "tragic".

distressing event

Highlights the emotional impact, substituting "dreadful" with "distressing".

unfortunate circumstance

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "dreadful" with "unfortunate" and "occasion" with "circumstance".

dire situation

Focuses on the seriousness of the situation, substituting "dreadful" with "dire".

calamitous situation

Highlights the disastrous nature, exchanging "dreadful" with "calamitous" and "occasion" with "situation".

awful happening

Employs a more colloquial tone, replacing "dreadful" with "awful" and "occasion" with "happening".

grim affair

Similar to "unpleasant affair" but slightly stronger, replacing "dreadful" with "grim".

unpleasant affair

Downplays the severity, swapping "dreadful" with "unpleasant" and "occasion" with "affair".

FAQs

What does "dreadful occasion" mean?

A "dreadful occasion" refers to an event or situation that is extremely unpleasant, distressing, or causing great suffering.

What can I say instead of "dreadful occasion"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible event", "tragic event", or "unfortunate circumstance" depending on the context.

Is "dreadful occasion" a formal expression?

Yes, "dreadful occasion" carries a somewhat formal tone and is more appropriate for serious or somber contexts.

How do I use "dreadful occasion" in a sentence?

You might say, "The funeral was a "dreadful occasion", filled with grief and sorrow."