it really bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it really bad" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is really bad"? You can use this phrase to express a strong negative opinion or feeling about something. Example: "The service at that restaurant was terrible; it is really bad."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

We wanted it really bad".

The New York Times

"I just want it really bad.

The New York Times - Sports

"Working in the public defender's office, I deal every day with clients who are indigent and have it really bad.

The New York Times

I found this cheap stamped-metal fire engine, and I wanted it really bad.

The New York Times - Travel

"Jan had it really bad," Low said.... MANNY MALHOTRA was pleased to find himself on the ice in important situations.

The New York Times - Sports

They say all girls are a little in love with their daddies; well, Naomi has got it really bad.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

As Wood put it, "it was really bad".

The New York Times

It's really bad, it is horrible.

The Guardian

It was bad, it was really bad".

The Guardian - Books

"When it's bad, it's really bad".

The New Yorker

It's really bad.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a verb such as "is", "was", or "seems" to ensure the phrase is grammatically correct. For example, use "it is really bad" instead of "it really bad".

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the verb "to be" (is, was, are, etc.). This creates a grammatically incorrect sentence. Always include the verb to maintain proper sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it really bad" functions as a predicative expression, attempting to describe a state or condition. However, it's grammatically incomplete without a linking verb. As Ludwig AI explains, the inclusion of a verb would improve clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it really bad" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI emphasizes the importance of including a verb to correct the sentence structure. While the phrase appears in various sources, particularly in direct quotes within news articles, its use is generally informal. More appropriate alternatives include phrases such as "it is really bad" or "it's extremely bad". When aiming for clarity and professionalism, it's best to ensure the sentence is grammatically complete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is very bad

Adds the necessary verb "is" to make the sentence grammatically correct and emphasizes the severity.

it's extremely bad

Uses a contraction and a stronger adjective to convey a higher degree of negativity.

it is seriously bad

Replaces "really" with "seriously" to give a sense of grave concern or consequence.

it's terribly bad

Uses "terribly" to emphasize the negative quality and create a sense of dismay.

it's quite bad

Uses "quite" to express a significant degree of badness, though perhaps with a slightly understated tone.

it is incredibly bad

Emphasizes the extent of how bad something is, using "incredibly" as an intensifier.

it is awfully bad

Uses "awfully" to intensify the negative aspect and express strong disapproval.

the situation is dire

Shifts focus to the situation itself and uses a more formal adjective ("dire") to convey severity.

it is just awful

Simplifies the expression while retaining a strong negative connotation.

things are going poorly

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the process or state of affairs, indicating a negative trend.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it really bad"?

The grammatically correct way to say "it really bad" is "it is really bad" or "it's really bad". The inclusion of the verb "is" makes the sentence complete and grammatically sound.

What can I say instead of "it really bad"?

You can use alternatives like "it is very bad", "it is extremely bad", or "it is seriously bad" depending on the context.

Is "it really bad" grammatically correct?

No, "it really bad" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it is really bad" or the contraction "it's really bad". The verb "is" is necessary for the sentence to be grammatically complete.

What's the difference between "it really bad" and "it is really bad"?

"It really bad" is missing the verb "is", making it grammatically incorrect. "It is really bad" includes the verb, making it a complete and grammatically correct sentence.