it is ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion about the appearance of something. Example: "The design of the building is quite controversial; many people believe it is ugly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He recoiled at its new fake-fieldstone siding: "Jesus Christ, it is ugly!

The New Yorker

It is ugly, but it works.

The New York Times

It is Ugly Duckling Presse (not Press).

The New York Times

"It is ugly structures in inappropriate places".

The New York Times

It is ugly, harsh and noisy.

The New York Times

Everything and everyone in it is ugly.

The Guardian - Books

"It is ugly and sad and, ultimately, tragic".

The New York Times

I'm not pretending it's good – it's ugly, it is ugly".

The Guardian

It is ugly; how could it not be?

The New York Times

It is ugly, and yet it is art.

The Guardian - Books

The two sides agree that it is ugly, both in appearance and in effect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it is ugly" to express a direct and unambiguous opinion about the appearance or nature of something. While it's straightforward, consider your audience and the context to avoid causing unnecessary offense. If aiming for neutrality, opt for alternatives like "it is unattractive".

Common error

While "it is ugly" is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of its directness, especially in professional or academic writing. Soften the phrase or use a more nuanced alternative such as "it is aesthetically unappealing" to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is ugly" functions primarily as a subject-complement construction, where "it" serves as the subject and "ugly" is the subject complement describing the subject's quality. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

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 ugly" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to convey a negative opinion about something's appearance or nature. As Ludwig confirms, it follows standard English grammar. While perfectly acceptable, its directness should be considered, especially in formal contexts where alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase is widely used across news and media, demonstrating its broad applicability. When seeking alternatives, consider options like ""it is unattractive"" or ""it is unsightly"" for a softer tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unsightly

Emphasizes the visual unpleasantness of something.

it is unattractive

A more general term for lacking appeal.

it is hideous

Indicates extreme ugliness or repulsiveness.

it is unappealing

Suggests a lack of interest or desirability.

it is revolting

Conveys a strong feeling of disgust.

it is grotesque

Implies a distorted or unnatural ugliness.

it is awful to look at

Focuses on the negative visual impact.

it is not pretty

A more gentle way of saying something is ugly.

it is offensive to the eye

Highlights the unpleasant aesthetic experience.

it is aesthetically displeasing

A formal way to express that something lacks beauty.

FAQs

What does "it is ugly" mean?

The phrase "it is ugly" means something is considered unpleasant or unattractive in appearance, nature, or character. It expresses a negative aesthetic or moral judgment.

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

You can use "it is ugly" to describe anything you find displeasing. For example: "The building's design "it is ugly"." or "That behavior "it is ugly" and unacceptable."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is ugly"?

Alternatives include "it is unattractive", "it is unsightly", "it is hideous", or "it is unappealing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more polite to say "it is unattractive" instead of "it is ugly"?

Yes, "it is unattractive" is generally considered more polite than "it is ugly" as it's less blunt and direct. The word "ugly" can sometimes be seen as harsh, while "unattractive" is a softer term.