it is woefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is woefully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong sense of disappointment or inadequacy regarding a situation or condition. Example: "It is woefully inadequate to address the needs of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Unlike OTP, it is woefully overstaffed and has yet to overhaul its IT systems.

The Economist

According to the home affairs select committee in 2013, it is "woefully under-equipped and hamstrung in achieving its original objectives".

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is woefully inadequate".

The New York Times

But it is woefully inadequate in practice.

The Economist

To the specialist, it is woefully inadequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Everyone agrees that it is woefully inadequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's woefully underpowered compared to every other ultraportable and its advertised 5 hour battery life is nothing special these days as the new MacBook Pros can rock-out twice as long.

TechCrunch

It's woefully undercooked and crunchy.

Independent

Weekley sends his pin high, but it's woefully sliced and ends up behind a bunker in knotted rough.

The Guardian - Sport

"Petaluma has plenty of antique dealers, but it's woefully under-retailed for everyday shopping," Mr. White explained.

The New York Times

Not least, ideas on how to do it are woefully undeveloped, because some countries (Germany in particular) have been so reluctant to use them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is woefully" to express a significant and disappointing shortfall, particularly when emphasizing the inadequacy of something that should be sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "it is woefully" in casual conversations or informal writing, as its slightly formal tone may sound out of place. Opt for more colloquial alternatives like "it's really lacking" or "it's just not good enough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is woefully" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a judgment about the insufficient or inadequate nature of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly and effectively used in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is woefully" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight a significant inadequacy or deficiency. Ludwig AI indicates it is correctly and effectively used in a wide range of writing. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys disappointment or concern about something falling short of expectations. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts and should be used judiciously in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "it is sadly" or "it is severely lacking" depending on the desired nuance and context. This phrase is useful for emphasizing the severity of the issue, urging change or improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is severely lacking

Emphasizes the degree of inadequacy with "severely lacking", rather than using the single word "woefully".

it is terribly inadequate

Uses "terribly inadequate" to convey a stronger sense of deficiency.

it is sadly

Replaces "woefully" with "sadly", softening the tone while maintaining the sense of inadequacy.

it is awfully insufficient

Substitutes "woefully" with "awfully", intensifying the sense of insufficiency.

it is regrettably

Substitutes "woefully" with "regrettably", emphasizing a sense of disappointment and remorse.

it is deficient

Replaces the adverb "woefully" with the adjective "deficient", providing a more direct statement of inadequacy.

it is lamentably poor

Replaces "woefully" with "lamentably poor", indicating a regrettable lack of quality.

it falls far short

Expresses inadequacy by stating that something "falls far short" of expectations or requirements.

it is pathetically insufficient

Highlights the insufficiency with "pathetically insufficient", adding an emotional dimension.

it is deplorably wanting

Uses "deplorably wanting" to express strong disapproval of the inadequacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is woefully" to express that something is severely inadequate or deficient. For example, "The funding for the project "it is woefully" insufficient to meet the stated goals."

What are some alternatives to "it is woefully"?

Alternatives include "it is sadly", "it is regrettably", or "it is severely lacking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "it is woefully" or "it's woefully"?

"It is woefully" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the statement, while "it's woefully" is a more conversational contraction. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "it is woefully inadequate" and "it is simply inadequate"?

"It is woefully inadequate" emphasizes the degree of inadequacy more strongly than "it is simply inadequate". The word "woefully" amplifies the sense of disappointment and severity. The nuance of "it is terribly inadequate" also applies here.