it stinks

USAGE SUMMARY

"it stinks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is unpleasant, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "The polluted air from the factory stinks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Andrew Luck said "it stinks".

Los Angeles Times

"Right now, it stinks.

The New York Times

Of course, it stinks.

The New York Times - Sports

It stinks, doesn't it?

The New York Times

"O.K.? It stinks.

The New Yorker

Nothing smells, it stinks.

Independent

It stinks of corruption".

The Guardian - Opinion

All afternoon it stinks.

The New Yorker

"It stinks," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It stinks" we said.

The New Yorker

Ethically, it stinks".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it stinks" to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction in informal settings. Be mindful of your audience and the context, as the phrase can be considered crude or impolite in formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "it stinks" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more neutral or professional language, such as "it is unsatisfactory" or "it is not up to standard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it stinks" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a negative evaluation or strong disapproval. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this phrase used to describe situations, actions, or even ethical considerations as being highly undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it stinks" is a common and informal phrase used to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While it's suitable for casual conversations, it's best to avoid using "it stinks" in formal or professional settings, opting for more neutral language. Consider alternatives like "it's awful" or "it's unpleasant" for more formal contexts. The prevalence of the phrase in news and media sources highlights its broad applicability in conveying negative sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's awful

This alternative conveys a general sense of something being unpleasant or of poor quality.

it's terrible

This phrase indicates a stronger negative feeling about something.

it's dreadful

Emphasizes a more severe level of unpleasantness or poor quality.

it's unpleasant

A more polite and formal way to express that something is not enjoyable.

it's disagreeable

Suggests something is contrary to one's liking or preferences.

it's rotten

Implies that something is corrupt, unfair, or of very poor quality.

it's lousy

Indicates something is of low quality or unsatisfactory.

it's junk

Denotes that something is worthless or of very poor quality.

it's garbage

Similar to "it's junk" but can also refer to something that is nonsensical or untrue.

it's the worst

Expresses the highest degree of negativity or dislike.

FAQs

How can I use "it stinks" in a sentence?

"It stinks" is used to express strong disapproval or that something is unpleasant. For example, "The way they handled the situation, "it stinks"."

What are some alternatives to "it stinks"?

You can use alternatives like "it's awful", "it's terrible", or "it's unpleasant" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it stinks"?

The phrase "it stinks" is best used in informal settings to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What makes "it stinks" different from "it smells bad"?

While "it smells bad" refers specifically to an unpleasant odor, ""it stinks"" can be used more broadly to express disapproval of a situation or idea, not just a literal smell.