it was lousy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was lousy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dissatisfaction or disappointment with something, such as an experience, performance, or quality. Example: "The movie was highly anticipated, but honestly, it was lousy and didn't live up to the hype."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Okay, The Predators was a bomb that deserved to bomb, as the problems with that R-rated Shane Black-directed sequel were that A) it was lousy and B) it cost $88m to produce, so its $160m worldwide cume was a disaster.

Forbes

There was one grocery store in town and it was lousy, he says.

The New Yorker

"Oh, I thought it was lousy," Campbell said at a press conference for his new film.

The Guardian - Film

The film came and went — Rex Reed loved it; Shaw thought it was lousy — but Salter received other invitations to direct, which he declined.

The New Yorker

"To be honest, baby, it was lousy," Yunior tells her – then confides to the reader: "That one is never very believable but you got to say it anyway no matter how stupid and unreal it sounds: say it".

The Guardian - Books

Bendjelloul later recalled that when the film was 90% finished, after he had been editing it for three years, the main sponsor said it was lousy and withdrew support.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It's lousy.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's lousy, lousy, lousy," Pucher said.

The New York Times

It's lousy coffee anyway.

The Guardian - Money

But it is lousy economics.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's lousy," Mr. Bahr said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was lousy", ensure that 'it' clearly refers to the subject you are criticizing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "it was lousy" is acceptable in informal settings, avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for phrases like "it was substandard" or "it was unsatisfactory" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was lousy" functions as a subject complement, where "it" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "lousy" is the adjective describing the subject. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in expressing negative opinions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was lousy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express dissatisfaction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. While its register leans towards informal to neutral, its usage spans various contexts like news, media, academia, and wiki articles. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "it was substandard" or "it was unsatisfactory" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was terrible

Emphasizes the severity of the poor quality or experience; carries a stronger negative connotation.

it was awful

Similar to 'terrible' but can also describe something unpleasant or disagreeable.

it was crummy

Similar in meaning, but considered informal.

it was substandard

More formal, indicating that something did not meet the required level of quality.

it was poor quality

Directly addresses the lack of quality without necessarily implying a strong emotional reaction.

it was disappointing

Focuses on the letdown experienced due to unmet expectations.

it was inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency or unsuitability of something for a particular purpose.

it was deficient

A formal way to indicate a lack of something essential or necessary.

it was unsatisfactory

A more polite and formal way to express that something didn't meet expectations.

it was second-rate

Implies that something is of inferior quality compared to others of its kind.

FAQs

How can I use "it was lousy" in a sentence?

You can use "it was lousy" to express dissatisfaction with something. For example, "The service at the restaurant was highly disappointing; "it was lousy"."

What are some alternatives to "it was lousy"?

Alternatives include "it was terrible", "it was awful", or "it was substandard", depending on the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was lousy"?

Yes, "it was lousy" is grammatically correct. The structure "it was + adjective" is a standard English construction.

When is it appropriate to use "it was lousy"?

"It was lousy" is appropriate in informal conversations and writing when expressing personal disappointment or dissatisfaction. Avoid using it in very formal or professional contexts.