it sucks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it sucks' is not considered appropriate in written English.
If you want to express something is not enjoyable, there are more appropriate and polite ways to phrase it such as, "It's not very enjoyable" or "It's not to my liking." For example, "The new movie isn't very good; it's not to my liking."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"It sucks," he said.

The New Yorker

"Honestly, it sucks".

The New Yorker

It sucks," Laura said.

The New Yorker

"It sucks," she says.

The Guardian - Tech

It sucks bigtime".

The Guardian - Film

It sucks," Jones added.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It sucked.

Independent

MM: It sucked.

Princeton University

"It sucked everything dry".

The New York Times

But does it suck?

The Guardian - Tech

"And it sucked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sucks" sparingly and be mindful of your audience. In formal writing or professional settings, opt for more polite and descriptive alternatives like "it's disappointing" or "it's not up to par".

Common error

Avoid using "it sucks" in formal documents or presentations. Over-reliance on informal language can undermine your credibility and make your writing appear unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sucks" functions as a statement expressing subjective disapproval or dissatisfaction. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to convey a negative opinion about a situation, object, or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sucks" is a grammatically correct but informal way to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction. According to Ludwig, it's commonly used in News & Media and Wiki sources. The expert rating is 3.5, reflecting its acceptable but informal nature. It's best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts, opting instead for more descriptive and polite alternatives such as "it's disappointing" or "it's not ideal". The AI also recommends that this phrase is not considered appropriate in written English. Therefore, when in doubt, it's best to err on the side of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's awful

Replaces "sucks" with a more general term for something very bad, indicating strong disapproval.

it's terrible

Similar to "it's awful", but perhaps even stronger, conveying a sense of dread or disgust.

it's the worst

Expresses the idea that something is the absolute lowest in quality or desirability.

it's no good

A more mild expression of disapproval, suggesting that something is not satisfactory.

it's rubbish

A British English term conveying worthlessness or poor quality.

it's a drag

Implies something is boring or unpleasant to deal with.

it's a pain

Suggests something is annoying or troublesome.

it's disappointing

Expresses a feeling of sadness or regret that something did not meet expectations.

it's not ideal

A more understated way of saying something is not optimal or desirable.

it leaves much to be desired

A polite way of indicating that something is lacking or not up to par.

FAQs

What does "it sucks" mean?

The phrase "it sucks" is an informal expression used to express strong disapproval or dissatisfaction with something. It indicates that something is unpleasant, undesirable, or of poor quality.

When is it appropriate to use "it sucks"?

The phrase "it sucks" is appropriate in informal settings with friends or family, but should be avoided in professional or formal contexts. Consider your audience and the situation before using this phrase.

What can I say instead of "it sucks"?

You can use alternatives like "it's awful", "it's terrible", "it's disappointing", or "it's not ideal" depending on the context and your desired level of formality.

Is "it sucks" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it sucks" is grammatically correct, but it is considered informal language. While grammatically sound, its use should be limited to casual conversations and informal writing.