horrendously bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrendously bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation, action, or circumstance that is very bad or poor. For example, one might say, "The service at the restaurant was horrendously bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It is getting horrendously bad".

The New York Times

They were horrendously bad at Celtic.

The Guardian - Sport

"Many municipal schools are horrendously bad," Vlachos said.

The Guardian

But insurers, he said, "have done a horrendously bad job at risk".

The New York Times

The most obvious example of this came on Friday, when the market rose more than three per cent despite a horrendously bad jobs number.

The New Yorker

Other parts of the spending come from efforts to keep the economy from collapsing under the weight of the proof that those earlier decisions were horrendously bad ones.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

While this sounds horrendously risky, banks do it all the time.

Forbes

Hopefully you'll never have anything more to worry about at university than a particularly bad hangover or a horrendously tight deadline.

The Guardian

Of course, on a bad night he can be horrendously disappointing.

The Guardian - Music

That would be horrendously difficult to accomplish, but might be the least bad of the options given the problems that Scottish independence creates otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

I moved horrendously and my first step on this stuff was just really bad".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "horrendously bad", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated. For instance, specify "The movie was horrendously bad" rather than simply stating "It was horrendously bad."

Common error

While "horrendously bad" is acceptable, it might be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise or professional language like "exceptionally poor" or "severely deficient" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrendously bad" functions as an intensifier + adjective. It serves to describe something of exceptionally poor quality or an extremely negative attribute. As supported by Ludwig AI, this construction is both correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "horrendously bad" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something of extremely poor quality. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media, it's important to consider the tone of your writing. In formal settings, alternatives like "exceptionally poor" or "severely deficient" may be more appropriate. Using "horrendously bad" effectively involves ensuring the context is clear and avoiding overuse in highly formal communication. The phrase is neutral in register, though the presence of “horrendously” can indicate a strong negative evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly awful

Uses different intensifier and synonym for 'bad' to soften the tone while retaining the overall meaning.

exceptionally poor

Emphasizes the deficiency in quality rather than the intensity of badness.

atrociously substandard

Highlights the failure to meet acceptable standards in a more formal tone.

remarkably dreadful

Employs a more literary tone, focusing on the unpleasantness of the subject.

extremely deficient

Focuses on the lack of necessary qualities or elements.

appallingly inadequate

Stresses the unacceptability of something being insufficient.

frightfully inferior

Highlights the lower quality compared to a standard or expectation.

outrageously disappointing

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations, often with a hint of indignation.

egregiously flawed

Emphasizes the presence of significant defects or errors.

unforgivably wretched

Adds a moral dimension, suggesting the badness is inexcusable.

FAQs

What does "horrendously bad" mean?

The phrase "horrendously bad" means something is extremely bad or of very poor quality. It intensifies the adjective 'bad' to emphasize the severity of the issue.

What can I say instead of "horrendously bad"?

You can use alternatives like "terribly awful", "exceptionally poor", or "atrociously substandard" depending on the context.

Is "horrendously bad" grammatically correct?

Yes, "horrendously bad" is grammatically correct. "Horrendously" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "bad", indicating the degree to which something is bad.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "horrendously bad"?

The phrase "horrendously bad" is suitable for various contexts, particularly when you want to express strong disapproval or highlight the poor quality of something. It is commonly used in news reports, reviews, and everyday conversations, although more formal settings may benefit from alternatives.