entirely bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely negative or without any positive aspects. Example: "While some aspects of the movie were enjoyable, the plot was entirely bad and left much to be desired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A plant that's been dubbed the "world's worst weed" may not be entirely bad.

Science Magazine

That is not an entirely bad thing.

The New York Times - Arts

Not that quasi-friends are entirely bad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The week has not been entirely bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

That might not be entirely bad.

The New York Times - Tech

Even so, the latest brouhaha is not entirely bad news.

The New York Times

"A person isn't entirely bad or entirely good".

The New York Times

(Its success was not entirely bad news for Ms. James.

The New York Times - Arts

Nor has the crisis been entirely bad news.

The Economist

No person is entirely good or entirely bad.

Nature

Not that this is an entirely bad phenomenon.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely bad" to soften criticism by acknowledging potential minor positives. For example, "The movie was not "entirely bad" because the soundtrack was enjoyable."

Common error

Avoid using "entirely bad" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language is expected. Opt for terms like "completely ineffective" or "wholly inadequate" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely bad" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective, indicating a complete lack of positive qualities. It serves to emphasize the negativity of something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entirely bad" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the complete negativity of something. Ludwig examples show it's used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general media. While versatile, its use should be tempered in highly formal settings where more precise language is warranted. Alternative phrases like "completely negative" or "totally awful" can be used for variety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to emphasize negativity, soften condemnation, and sometimes implies an acknowledgement of minor positive aspects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely negative

Emphasizes the absolute absence of positive aspects.

Totally awful

Highlights the extremely unpleasant or poor quality of something.

Wholly negative

Indicates a full and complete lack of any redeeming qualities.

Utterly dreadful

Stresses the extremely poor and undesirable nature of something.

Absolutely terrible

Emphasizes the high degree of badness or poor quality.

Thoroughly awful

Highlights the comprehensive extent of something's negative qualities.

Negative without exception

Focuses on the exclusion of any positive elements.

Deficient in every aspect

Points out the inadequacy or failing nature in all areas.

Completely unacceptable

Indicates something is entirely not permissible or satisfactory.

A complete disaster

Emphasizes a total failure or catastrophe.

FAQs

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

You can use "entirely bad" to describe something that has no redeeming qualities. For example: "The experience wasn't "entirely bad" because I learned a valuable lesson."

What are some alternatives to saying "entirely bad"?

Alternatives include "completely negative", "totally awful", or "wholly negative", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "entirely bad"?

Yes, "entirely bad" is grammatically correct. The adverb "entirely" properly modifies the adjective "bad".

What's the difference between "not entirely bad" and "entirely good"?

"Not entirely bad" implies that something has some positive aspects, while "entirely good" means something is completely positive and without flaws. Consider using phrases like "completely positive" or "wholly beneficial" instead.