how terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

"how terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dismay or regret when something bad happens or is said. For example: "How terrible that we can no longer visit our grandparents in person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She reflects, "How terrible!

The New Yorker

I thought, 'Oh, how terrible.

The New York Times - Science

"How terrible for you.

The Guardian - Books

How terrible was that?

The Guardian - Sport

How terrible yet glamorous.

The Guardian - Music

Oh, how terrible.

The New York Times - Style

How terrible they were!

The New York Times

"How terrible," we murmured sympathetically.

The New York Times - Magazine

How terrible the other guy is.

The New York Times

How terrible a thing time is.

The New Yorker

"I can't believe how terrible I was".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how terrible" to express sincere empathy or shock when reacting to unfortunate news or events. It adds a personal touch to your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "how terrible" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more objective and nuanced language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how terrible" functions as an exclamatory expression. It is used to convey a strong feeling of dismay, shock, or sympathy in response to an unfortunate or negative situation. As seen in Ludwig, it often introduces a statement expressing the speaker's feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how terrible" is a common exclamatory phrase used to express negative emotions like shock, dismay, or sympathy. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain objectivity. Alternatives such as "how awful" or "how unfortunate" can provide nuanced expression. Its primary function is to connect emotionally with others, reacting to news or events with shared sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how awful

Simple synonym, replacing "terrible" with "awful" to convey a similar negative sentiment.

how dreadful

Synonym that emphasizes the unpleasant or distressing nature of something.

how horrifying

Highlights the shocking and disturbing nature of something.

how appalling

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of something.

how unfortunate

Focuses on the aspect of bad luck or negative consequences.

how tragic

Emphasizes the sorrowful and distressing aspect of a situation.

how shocking

Focuses on the element of surprise and disbelief due to the negativity of the situation.

how regrettable

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow and disappointment about something.

it's a tragedy

Changes the structure to a statement emphasizing the tragic nature of the situation.

what a disaster

Indicates that the situation is a complete failure or has extremely negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "how terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "how terrible" to express sympathy, shock, or dismay. For example, "How terrible that the accident happened!" or "I can't believe "how terrible" the news is."

What are some alternatives to saying "how terrible"?

Alternatives include "how awful", "how dreadful", or "how unfortunate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "how terrible" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how terrible" might be perceived as too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more objective language, depending on your audience and the tone of the piece.

What's the difference between "how terrible" and "that's terrible"?

"How terrible" is often used as an exclamation expressing immediate reaction, whereas "that's terrible" is a more declarative statement. The former conveys a sense of personal involvement or empathy.