it is dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or to describe something that is very unpleasant or distressing. Example: "The conditions in the abandoned building were so bad that it is dreadful to think anyone would have to live there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"IT is dreadful," declared India Hicks, the model and former "Top Design" host, in a supremely proper English accent that made the phrase a symphony of syllables.

The New York Times

Most of it is dreadful, but even at its worst it can be dreadful in a fascinating way.

The New York Times - Arts

It is dreadful.

The Economist

"It is dreadful stuff".

The Guardian

And this year it is dreadful.

The Economist

"In fact, it is dreadful".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It's dreadful.

The New York Times - Health

It's dreadful news, really.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's dreadful feeling".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was dreadful, absolutely dreadful.

The Guardian

"It's terrible; it's dreadful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is dreadful" to express strong disapproval or to describe something that is very unpleasant or distressing. Consider the audience and adjust the intensity if needed.

Common error

While "it is dreadful" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it is terrible" or "it is awful" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is dreadful" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong negative judgment about a particular situation, object, or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is dreadful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying strong disapproval or describing unpleasantness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not the most frequently used phrase, it is readily understood. It is generally found in news and media contexts, expressing a negative sentiment. When using "it is dreadful", ensure clarity in what "it" refers to, and consider synonyms to prevent repetition. It's suitable for neutral registers but can be adjusted for formality based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's truly awful

Changes "dreadful" to "awful" and uses "truly" for emphasis, intensifying the negative sentiment.

it's exceedingly bad

Replaces "dreadful" with "bad" and uses "exceedingly" to amplify the negative quality.

it's absolutely terrible

Substitutes "dreadful" with "terrible" and uses "absolutely" for strong emphasis.

it is utterly appalling

Replaces "dreadful" with "appalling" and intensifies with "utterly", both words expressing strong disapproval.

it is quite atrocious

Changes "dreadful" to "atrocious" and uses "quite" to soften the strong sentiment slightly, while still conveying a negative impression.

it's a complete disaster

Shifts the focus to the outcome or situation being a "disaster", implying a significant negative impact.

it is highly regrettable

Replaces "dreadful" with "regrettable", indicating disappointment and wishing things were different.

the situation is grim

Focuses on the "situation" being "grim", suggesting a bleak and unfavorable outlook.

it fills me with dismay

Expresses personal feeling of "dismay", changing the focus from the object itself to the emotional impact on the speaker.

it's a cause for concern

Downplays the intensity of "dreadful" by framing the situation as a "cause for concern", indicating worry but not necessarily extreme negativity.

FAQs

What does "it is dreadful" mean?

The phrase "it is dreadful" expresses strong disapproval or describes something as extremely unpleasant or distressing. It indicates a negative evaluation of a situation, object, or experience.

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

You can use "it is dreadful" to express your negative opinion about something. For example, "the food was dreadful", or "it is dreadful that this happened".

What can I say instead of "it is dreadful"?

You can use alternatives like "it is terrible", "it is awful", or "it is horrendous" depending on the context.

Is "it's dreadful" the same as "it is dreadful"?

"It's dreadful" is a contraction of "it is dreadful", so they have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.