it seems awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems awful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a negative opinion or reaction to something that appears to be bad or unpleasant. Example: "After hearing the details of the situation, it seems awful that such a thing could happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It seems awful to be famous now".

The New Yorker

"It seems awful heavy-handed to me, but David is one, he isn't shy about being heavy-handed".

The New York Times

Lalo Alcaraz, a Mexican-American cartoonist best known as the creator of the comic strip La Cucaracha, tweeted: "On the offensiveness scale, it seems awful and crass, as the words 'Dia de Los Muertos' aren't just some brand name but a holiday".

The Guardian - Film

Looking at his style from outside it seems awful but he delivered".

Forbes

I mean it seems awful to laugh about it but that's how it was.

BBC

Overall, it seems awful similar to the Viliv N5 although a bit taller and less wide than the Windows clamshell.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was a beautiful day, and it seemed awful that my father was not there to see it.

The New Yorker

It seemed awful to bin them when they'd been saved so long.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seemed awful that his mother had died, that his father seemed to have forgotten her, that this girl was still living her life.

The New Yorker

It seemed awful, yet somehow it also gave her that tender feeling toward him again, the sense that even though he was older than her, she knew something he didn't.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rutherford, who speaks often with Mr. Clinton, said that it seemed awful to many of the president's supporters that he was being treated this way in Arkansas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems awful" to express a preliminary negative judgment based on available information, leaving room for further evaluation. For example, "It seems awful that the project was delayed, but let's investigate the reasons before drawing conclusions."

Common error

Avoid using "it seems awful" without explaining why something seems awful. Providing context or specific reasons strengthens your statement and makes it more convincing. For example, instead of just saying "It seems awful", specify, "It seems awful that the company laid off so many employees during a profitable quarter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems awful" primarily functions as an evaluative expression. It conveys a subjective assessment of something, indicating that, based on the available information or initial perception, the subject matter is undesirable or negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase expresses a negative opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems awful" is a common phrase used to express a negative initial impression or judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is grammatically correct. Its neutral register makes it versatile for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While effective, writers should ensure they provide sufficient context to support their assessment. Alternatives like "it appears terrible" or "it looks dreadful" can offer slightly different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent: something is perceived as decidedly unpleasant or undesirable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears terrible

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "awful" with "terrible", offering a slightly stronger negative connotation.

it looks dreadful

Substitutes "seems" with "looks" and "awful" with "dreadful", implying a visually unpleasant or frightening aspect.

it feels terrible

Changes "seems" to "feels" and maintains "terrible", shifting the focus to an emotional or sensory experience.

it sounds terrible

Replaces "seems" with "sounds" and keeps "terrible", suggesting a negative auditory impression.

it is appalling

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic expression of disgust or disapproval.

it is dreadful

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more direct statement emphasizing the severity of the situation.

it is horrifying

Replaces "seems awful" with a stronger term, "horrifying", to indicate extreme shock or fear.

it is regrettable

Conveys a sense of disappointment and sadness about a situation.

that's too bad

Uses a more casual expression to indicate disappointment or sympathy.

what a pity

Emphasizes a sense of sorrow or regret.

FAQs

What does "it seems awful" mean?

The phrase "it seems awful" indicates that something appears to be very bad, unpleasant, or undesirable based on initial impressions or available information. It expresses a negative judgment or feeling about a situation or thing.

What can I say instead of "it seems awful"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears terrible", "it looks dreadful", or "it feels terrible" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it seems awful"?

Use "it seems awful" when you want to express a negative initial reaction or judgment to something, while acknowledging that your understanding may be incomplete. It's appropriate when you need to convey disapproval or concern but want to remain somewhat tentative or open to further information.

Is "it seems awful" formal or informal?

The phrase "it seems awful" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. It can be used in both casual and professional settings, although more formal alternatives like "it is appalling" or "it is regrettable" might be preferred in very formal contexts.