got terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got terrible" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express that something has become bad or worsened, but it is not a conventional construction. Example: "The weather got terrible after the storm hit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

What acting experience have you got? Terrible.

The Guardian - Sport

She's got terrible bowel problems, that annoys me.

Independent

"First I got terrible stomach cramps," she said.

The Guardian

Ms. Palin got terrible reviews for the interview.

The New York Times

Joke: "I've got terrible hand-eye co-ordination which is annoying.

Independent

"Phantom" got terrible reviews and performed awfully at the box office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

What if we had gotten terrible reviews?

The New Yorker

But it gets terrible gas mileage.

The New York Times - Style

"I get terrible panic attacks sometimes," he admits.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's a cell-phone booth, sumptuously padded in leather, which gets terrible reception.

The New Yorker

The revolution happens and everyone has such high hopes but then it all gets terrible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, replace "got terrible" with stronger and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "became awful" or "deteriorated significantly".

Common error

Avoid using "got" excessively in formal contexts. While common in speech, overuse can weaken your writing. Opt for more precise verbs that convey the specific change or state you intend to describe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got terrible" functions as a linking verb (got) + adjective (terrible), describing a state of becoming or a change to a negative condition. Ludwig AI highlights that it is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got terrible" is used to describe something that has become very bad or has significantly worsened. While frequently found in various contexts, particularly in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. For more formal or professional writing, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "became awful" or "deteriorated significantly" to convey the intended meaning with greater precision and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became awful

Replaces "got" with "became", a more formal verb for indicating a change in condition.

turned out badly

Indicates that something resulted in a negative outcome, differing in structure but similar in meaning.

ended up poorly

Emphasizes the final state of something being undesirable.

suffered greatly

Focuses on the experience of hardship or negativity.

declined sharply

Suggests a rapid and significant decrease in quality or condition.

deteriorated rapidly

Highlights the quick worsening of a situation or condition.

descended into chaos

Implies a progression towards a state of disorder and negativity.

devolved disastrously

Focuses on the negative and unsuccessful evolution of something.

fared miserably

Expresses that something experienced failure or unhappiness.

went downhill fast

Indicates a rapid decline in quality or condition, using a more informal tone.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "got terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "became awful", "deteriorated significantly", or "turned out badly" depending on the context.

Is "got terrible" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "got terrible" is not considered grammatically formal. More appropriate alternatives are preferable in formal writing.

How to use "got terrible" in a sentence?

While the usage of the phrase is discouraged, you can encounter it in casual conversations or informal contexts. Example: "The food at that restaurant really "gets terrible" after 9 PM."

Which is more correct, "got terrible" or "became terrible"?

"Became terrible" is more grammatically correct. It's a more formal and precise way to express the idea that something worsened.