is too dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is too dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is excessively terrible or unpleasant. Example: "The situation in the city is too dreadful for anyone to ignore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A Russian Milosevic is too dreadful to contemplate.

The Guardian

But the prospect of having to absorb 23m starving people while their own economy is in tatters is too dreadful to contemplate for most South Koreans.

The Economist

"It is too dreadful," she wrote of her slave-owning husband, Pierce, "to have those whom we love accomplices to this wicked­ness; it is too intolerable to find myself an involuntary accomplice to it".

The New York Times - Books

He knows that she and he and we all have to die – and in a sense this is about making the best of that, whistling hymns in the dark because the alternative of grief is too dreadful to live with.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This doctor has condemned my sister to a year, so far, of terrible suffering and a death which is too dreadful to contemplate, when she could have been completely cured.

BBC

It is about whether hard-won rights for those accused of crimes can be abandoned when a government or a people feels under threat; if they are a civilised nicety, like good manners, that can be jettisoned in wartime, when the crime is too dreadful.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was too dreadful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If they do not, the impact of their decision may be too dreadful to contemplate.

Independent

She protested that marrying a divorced man would have been "too dreadful" to contemplate.

The New York Times

The crowds had been forewarned that to come by car was too dreadful to attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

But she shrugged the feeling off, because the prospect of sifting through the offerings on Craigslist was too dreadful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity you wish to convey. While "is too dreadful" is strong, synonyms like "is excessively horrible" or "is utterly appalling" might be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

Common error

While "is too dreadful" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language that better captures the specific nature of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is too dreadful" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject and expressing a strong negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe something as excessively unpleasant or terrible.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is too dreadful" serves to express something is excessively unpleasant or terrible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it is primarily found in News & Media, its strong emotional connotation requires careful consideration in formal writing. When you need a change, consider the alternatives suggested, such as "is exceedingly awful" or "is utterly appalling", to get more specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exceedingly awful

Replaces "dreadful" with a more emphatic synonym, intensifying the negative connotation.

is utterly appalling

Substitutes "dreadful" with "appalling", suggesting a shocking and reprehensible nature.

is excessively horrible

Uses "horrible" as a synonym for "dreadful", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the subject.

is intensely unpleasant

Replaces "dreadful" with a more formal expression, focusing on the displeasing nature of something.

is truly terrible

Emphasizes the severity of the situation, indicating a dire and distressing state.

is unbelievably grim

Conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair, suggesting a bleak and somber outlook.

is remarkably bad

A less intense alternative, highlighting the poor quality or nature of something.

is frighteningly bad

Emphasizes the alarming nature of the situation, suggesting a cause for fear or concern.

is deeply regrettable

Focuses on the feeling of sorrow and disappointment associated with something.

is terribly unfortunate

Highlights the unlucky and unfavorable nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "is too dreadful" in a sentence?

The phrase "is too dreadful" is used to express that something is excessively unpleasant or terrible. For example, "The thought of failing the exam is too dreadful to contemplate."

What are some alternatives to "is too dreadful"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "is exceedingly awful", "is utterly appalling", or "is excessively horrible", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "is too dreadful" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is too dreadful" may be considered somewhat informal for academic or highly professional contexts. More precise and nuanced language might be preferable in those settings.

What's the difference between "is too dreadful" and "is very bad"?

"Is too dreadful" implies a higher degree of unpleasantness or severity than "is very bad". "Is too dreadful" suggests something is not only bad, but also evokes a sense of fear, horror, or extreme aversion.