ghastly thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ghastly thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is horrifying, shocking, or extremely unpleasant. Example: "The movie was filled with a series of ghastly things that left the audience in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But that ghastly thing.

The Guardian

"War is an absolutely terrible, ghastly thing.

Independent

'The ghastly thing is, a great percentage of homes are run by private companies.

The Guardian

She screamed with fright, even with me, her human daughter, working the ghastly thing and reassuring her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think that was a ghastly thing to have happened to him and that he handled it with great dignity," says Owen now.

The Guardian

"What one has to remember is we have to differentiate between the phone scams which are deliberate and premeditated and this ghastly thing that happened on Blue Peter," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Over on Twitter, they're urging us to eat "ghastly things for breakfast".

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes people write the most ghastly things, and it makes you feel like crap..

The Guardian - Film

Otherwise, they warn, the warring parties will say the most ghastly things about each other.

The New York Times

It was a thick soup full of crabs, lobsters, mussels and other ghastly things of the sea.

The Guardian - Books

Peter Harris Emsworth, Hampshire  Character-building at public school was learning to avoid doing all those ghastly things on Anthony Seldon's list.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ghastly thing," ensure clarity. Specify what "ghastly thing" refers to, providing context that makes the meaning unmistakable. This prevents ambiguity and enhances comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "ghastly thing" for minor inconveniences. Its strong connotation is best reserved for genuinely shocking or horrifying situations to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

Adjective-noun phrase. "Ghastly thing" functions to describe a noun (thing) with the adjective "ghastly," emphasizing its repulsiveness or horribleness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this combination is grammatically correct and conveys a strong sense of negativity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

9%

Huffington Post

9%

Less common in

Books

0%

Sports

0%

Technology

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ghastly thing" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe something extremely unpleasant or shocking. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While there are various alternatives, such as "horrendous object" or "dreadful matter", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "ghastly thing", be mindful of the potential for hyperbole and ensure it aligns with your intended tone. Using the phrase with an authoritative approach is vital for the user.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrendous object

Replaces "ghastly" with "horrendous", emphasizing the object's ability to inspire horror.

dreadful matter

Substitutes "ghastly" with "dreadful" and "thing" with "matter", softening the descriptive intensity.

awful entity

Replaces both words to suggest something frightening in a more abstract manner.

horrific spectacle

Uses "spectacle" instead of thing, changing the focus to a visual event.

shocking event

Shifts the description towards the impact of the "thing" rather than its inherent qualities.

appalling incident

Changes the context to a specific occurrence that causes dismay.

disgusting affair

Alters the tone to suggest something morally or aesthetically offensive.

unpleasant situation

Provides a more neutral alternative, downplaying the severity of the original phrase.

terrible business

Uses "business" to refer to an event or situation, implying negativity.

grim reality

Emphasizes the stark and depressing nature of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "ghastly thing" in a sentence?

Use "ghastly thing" to describe something extremely unpleasant or shocking. For example, "War is an absolutely terrible, "ghastly thing"."

What are some alternatives to "ghastly thing"?

You can use alternatives such as "horrendous object", "dreadful matter", or "awful entity" depending on the specific context.

Is "ghastly thing" formal or informal?

"Ghastly thing" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly informal. While understandable in most contexts, it might be too emotive for highly formal or academic writing.

What makes something a "ghastly thing"?

A "ghastly thing" is something that evokes strong feelings of revulsion, horror, or shock. It's not merely unpleasant but deeply disturbing.