it is terribly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is terribly true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the harshness or severity of a truth or fact that is being stated. Example: "Despite our hopes for a different outcome, it is terribly true that the project has failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is terribly true, even if the truth does not comfort, that if you look at the moon for long enough night after night, as I have, you will see that the old cartoons are correct, that the moon is, in fact, laughing, but not at us, we who are too small and our lives too fleeting for it to give us any notice at all.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It typifies the irony of today -- these helpless human beings who, to be sure, can build Zeppelins and invent radios but who simply must invent because every new invention calls for 10 additional ones.... Ah, the jazz band is terribly true with its cymbals, sirens and drums.

The New York Times - Arts

Except it may not all be true: "Once you start inventing and soliloquizing, it is terribly hard to quit".

The New York Times - Books

It is terribly frightening".

The Guardian - Tech

And it is terribly convenient.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is terribly bad public policy.

The New York Times

It is terribly unfair.

BBC

It was terribly, terribly upsetting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's terribly tacky".

Independent

It was terribly grand.

Independent

It was terribly confusing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is terribly true" to add emphasis when acknowledging an unpleasant or unfortunate fact that you cannot deny. It conveys a sense of resignation or reluctant acceptance.

Common error

While effective for emphasis, avoid using "it is terribly true" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your tone sound melodramatic or insincere. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "it is unfortunately true" or "it is sadly true".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is terribly true" functions as an emphatic affirmation. It underscores the validity of a statement, often one that is unpleasant or unwelcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is terribly true" is a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the validity of an unpleasant truth. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively rare, it appears mostly in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "it is unfortunately true" or "it is sadly true" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, consider its potential for melodrama and ensure it aligns with the tone and audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unfortunately true

Replaces "terribly" with "unfortunately", focusing on the regretful aspect of the truth.

it is sadly true

Substitutes "terribly" with "sadly", highlighting the sorrowful nature of the truth.

it is painfully true

Replaces "terribly" with "painfully", emphasizing the unpleasantness or discomfort of the truth.

it is regrettably true

Uses "regrettably" instead of "terribly", focusing on the feeling of regret associated with the truth.

it is dishearteningly true

Substitutes "terribly" with "dishearteningly", emphasizing the discouraging nature of the truth.

it is shockingly true

Replaces "terribly" with "shockingly", highlighting the surprising or alarming nature of the truth.

it is distressingly true

Uses "distressingly" instead of "terribly", focusing on the anxiety or suffering caused by the truth.

the terrible truth is

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize "truth".

the awful truth is

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize "truth" and replaces "terribly" with "awful".

it is tragically true

Substitutes "terribly" with "tragically", emphasizing the catastrophic nature of the truth.

FAQs

What does "it is terribly true" mean?

The phrase "it is terribly true" is used to emphasize that something is true, even though it's unpleasant, unfortunate, or undesirable. It conveys a sense of reluctant acceptance of a harsh reality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is terribly true"?

Use "it is terribly true" when you want to acknowledge a difficult or painful fact and emphasize that it cannot be denied or avoided. It is suitable for situations where there is a sense of resignation or regret about the truth.

Are there alternative ways to express the same meaning as "it is terribly true"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "it is unfortunately true", "it is sadly true", or "it is painfully true" to convey a similar sentiment, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is "it is terribly true" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is terribly true" falls somewhere in the middle of the formality spectrum. It's not overly formal, but it's also not strictly informal. It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it's best suited for situations where you want to add emphasis and convey a sense of seriousness about the truth.