it's terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's terrible" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a complete sentence and can stand alone to express a negative opinion or feeling about something. It can also be used as a clause within a larger sentence to describe a situation or event. Example: "The movie we watched last night? It was terrible. I couldn't even stay awake until the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I think it's terrible.

The New Yorker

Second, it's terrible politics.

The New York Times

It's terrible, that's what".

The New York Times

"You know, it's terrible.

The New Yorker

"It's terrible times".

The New York Times

(I know, it's terrible).

The New York Times

"It's terrible," she said.

The New Yorker

"It's terrible, I know.

The New York Times

Except when it's terrible.

The New York Times

"It's terrible," he said.

The New York Times - Food

It's terrible up there".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's terrible" to express strong disapproval or disappointment, but consider the audience and context to ensure it's appropriate. For a more formal setting, consider alternatives like "it is unacceptable" or "it is deeply concerning".

Common error

While "it's terrible" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, be cautious about using it in formal writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing seem less professional. Choose more precise and nuanced language to convey your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's terrible" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative judgment or opinion about something. Ludwig confirms this is correct and acceptable in written English, and is a complete sentence expressing a negative opinion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's terrible" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing strong negative opinions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English and functions as a complete sentence. While common in news and media, remember to consider your audience. If a more formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives. Always aim for precision and clarity in your writing, and avoid overusing informal phrases in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's dreadful

Replaces "terrible" with "dreadful", maintaining a similar level of negativity.

it's awful

Substitutes "terrible" with "awful", offering a more general expression of dislike.

it's horrible

Replaces "terrible" with "horrible", intensifying the negative sentiment.

it's appalling

Replaces "terrible" with "appalling", suggesting something shocking or disturbing.

it's atrocious

Substitutes "terrible" with "atrocious", indicating extreme wickedness or cruelty.

it's unbearable

Shifts the focus to the inability to endure something, implying extreme unpleasantness.

it's unacceptable

Changes the focus to the lack of acceptance, suggesting something is not permissible or tolerable.

it's a disaster

Uses a noun phrase to describe the situation, indicating a complete failure or catastrophe.

it's the worst

Uses a superlative to emphasize the extreme negativity of the situation.

it's simply the pits

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a strong feeling of dislike or contempt.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it's terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "it's dreadful", "it's awful", or "it's horrible" depending on the context.

How can I use "it's terrible" in a sentence?

"It's terrible" can be used as a complete sentence to express a negative opinion, or as part of a larger sentence to describe something you dislike. For example, "The food was bland, it's terrible."

Is "it's terrible" too informal for professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "it's terrible" might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "it is unacceptable" or "it is deeply concerning".

What's the difference between "it's terrible" and "it was terrible"?

"It's terrible" refers to something that is currently terrible, while "it was terrible" refers to something that was terrible in the past. For example, "The traffic is terrible today" versus "The traffic was terrible yesterday".