dreadful times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dreadful times" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods of hardship, suffering, or distress in various contexts, such as historical events or personal experiences. Example: "During the war, many families faced dreadful times, struggling to survive amidst the chaos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Because still, through all these dreadful times, people manage to smile.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are in a battle for the soul of our nation… It's terrifying but we have confronted dreadful times before.

The Washington Post

22 Yanks win the pennant in fifth game, and Piniella admits he is proud of the way his old team and his old town battled through dreadful times.

The New York Times - Sports

And while I never prayed for him as such, I know I wasn't alone in sending him positive thoughts and trying to will him through those dreadful times.

The Guardian - Opinion

Getafe: Míchel talks a good game but hasn't always coached one – commitment to nice, tidy football didn't prevent him having dreadful times at Castilla and Rayo.

The Guardian - Sport

The steel workers who are going through such dreadful times should take the flash of the Mini's headlights as a sign of solidarity from the workers on the production line and those who lost their jobs in the past.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

One dreadful time, I forgot a lesson.

The New Yorker

It was an absolutely dreadful time.

Independent

She took over at a dreadful time.

The Economist

"Explanations take such a dreadful time".

The Guardian - Books

He has been through a dreadful time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dreadful times", consider the specific context to ensure the intensity of the adjective accurately reflects the situation. Reserve it for truly severe or distressing periods to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "dreadful times" too frequently in your writing. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Instead, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "terrible times" or "difficult times" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dreadful times" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "dreadful" intensifies the noun "times", indicating a period characterized by extreme unpleasantness or suffering. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreadful times" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes periods marked by extreme hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not the most frequently used expression, it is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts to convey negative sentiment. Consider synonyms such as "terrible times" or "awful times" for variety. While it's mainly used in the context of News & Media its usage is pretty straightforward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrible times

Emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the period.

awful times

Highlights the extremely bad or unpleasant nature of the period.

horrific times

Stresses the shocking and disturbing character of the period.

grim times

Focuses on the bleak and depressing nature of the period.

dire times

Indicates the serious and urgent nature of the period.

hard times

Emphasizes the difficulty and struggle experienced during the period.

bad times

A general term for unfavorable or difficult periods.

difficult times

Highlights the challenges and obstacles faced during the period.

trying times

Focuses on the testing and challenging aspects of the period.

unfortunate period

Subtly conveys the negative circumstances without strong emotional emphasis.

FAQs

What does "dreadful times" mean?

"Dreadful times" refers to periods characterized by extreme hardship, suffering, or misfortune. It suggests a time filled with unpleasantness and difficulty.

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

You can use "dreadful times" to describe historical events, personal experiences, or any period marked by significant distress. For example: "The war brought "dreadful times" to many families."

What can I say instead of "dreadful times"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible times", "awful times", or "difficult times" depending on the context.

Is "dreadful times" a formal or informal expression?

"Dreadful times" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for serious or somber discussions. More casual conversations might benefit from less intense synonyms.