it sounds dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something appears to be very unpleasant or alarming, often in response to a description or suggestion. Example: "After hearing about the proposed changes to the project, I must say, it sounds dreadful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It sounds dreadful and thinking about it now, maybe it is.

The Guardian

Some delegates spoke about a shared experience "It sounds dreadful, but in fact it is true, isn't it, for a family You're living on a knife edge and borrowed time".

BMC Geriatrics

Don't try to push it into ranges where it doesn't go; it sounds dreadful very quickly and your audience will react negatively.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The movie's CinemaScore ― data compiled from opening-night reactions ― is an F. That sounds dreadful on paper, but it actually signals an interesting effect.

Huffington Post

Sounds dreadful, but is actually delicious: it's just a shame that when photographed, they have a tendency to look like malevolent alien birth pods.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Female participant (KA5), Kalgoorlie)" ""… it took me a long time, probably 18 months, which sounds dreadful, to find a GP that would listen and knew that you were real, because you know, pain is very difficult to pinpoint".

BMC Health Services Research

That sounds dreadful.

The New Yorker

Sounds dreadful, right?

The Guardian

But the elegant French title sounds dreadful when transliterated as The Extension of the Domain of the Struggle.

The Guardian - Books

This "living for the moment", which the Pirahã enjoy (they think Western life sounds dreadful), shapes their language.That different cultures have different words is unsurprising.

The Economist

The area given over to coffee quadrupled between 1970 and 1995, but the planting of qat increased more than tenfold, using up huge amounts of land and water.In this section Chewing through a Yemeni afternoon Angola facing war and hunger Rocks that kill Time to leave the insecurity zone Reprints Related topics YemenAll this sounds dreadful.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds dreadful" when you want to express a strong negative reaction to a plan, idea, or situation, emphasizing its unpleasant or undesirable qualities. This phrase is suitable for expressing personal opinions and reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "it sounds dreadful" in highly formal or professional settings where a more diplomatic or nuanced expression would be more appropriate. Instead, opt for alternatives like "it presents significant challenges" or "it warrants careful consideration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds dreadful" functions as an evaluative expression. It communicates the speaker's negative assessment of something based on how it has been described. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express a negative opinion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it sounds dreadful" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a negative assessment or reaction to something that has been described. According to Ludwig, its usage is appropriate for expressing disapproval, concern, or a negative expectation. While found in various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it is more suited for neutral to informal communication, best used to express personal sentiment and reaction. Remember to consider the formality of the situation and choose more nuanced expressions in professional or formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sounds awful

Uses a more common synonym for "dreadful".

it sounds terrible

Employs a widely understood term for something very bad.

it sounds horrible

Replaces "dreadful" with a synonym indicating unpleasantness.

that sounds alarming

Shifts the focus to the alarming nature of what is described.

that sounds appalling

Substitutes "dreadful" with a term suggesting outrage and shock.

that sounds grim

Replaces "dreadful" with a more concise and stark term.

it sounds dire

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the situation.

it sounds bleak

Highlights the lack of hope or positive outlook.

that seems unpleasant

Downplays the severity with a more understated adjective.

that rings alarm bells

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate potential danger or problems.

FAQs

What does "it sounds dreadful" mean?

The phrase "it sounds dreadful" means that something appears to be very unpleasant, alarming, or of poor quality based on its description. It expresses a strong negative reaction.

What can I say instead of "it sounds dreadful"?

You can use alternatives like "it sounds awful", "it sounds terrible", or "that sounds alarming" depending on the context.

How can I use "it sounds dreadful" in a sentence?

You can use "it sounds dreadful" to express your negative opinion about something you've heard or read about. For example, "After hearing their plans for the renovation, I have to say, it sounds dreadful."

Is "it sounds dreadful" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it sounds dreadful" is generally more suitable for informal conversation or writing. In formal contexts, consider using a more nuanced or diplomatic alternative such as "it presents significant challenges".