it was really bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really bad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion or experience about something that occurred in the past. Example: "The movie we watched last night? It was really bad; I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It was really bad," concurred Higgins.

BBC

"It was really bad.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yeah, it was really bad.

The Guardian - Film

"It was really bad," she said.

The New York Times

"She basically said it was really bad".

The New York Times

"It was really bad," he recalled.

The New York Times

It was bad, it was really bad".

The Guardian - Books

It was really bad; one plow".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was really bad," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In Argentina it was really bad for the people.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"For him to call meant it was really bad," she said later.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was really bad", provide specific details about what made the experience negative. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "it was really bad" without explaining the reasons. This can make your writing vague and uninformative. Instead, elaborate on the specific issues or problems encountered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really bad" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a negative evaluation of a past experience or situation. As Ludwig AI points out, the expression follows standard grammar rules and is thus considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was really bad" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a negative opinion about something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its usage spans across various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media. When using this phrase, providing specific details about what made the experience negative will add clarity and impact. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase without context, as it can make your writing vague. Alternatives such as ""it was truly awful"" or ""it was exceptionally terrible"" can also be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was truly awful

Emphasizes the severity of the negative experience.

it was exceptionally terrible

Highlights an extreme degree of unpleasantness.

it was utterly dreadful

Conveys a strong sense of dismay and unpleasantness.

it was seriously deficient

Focuses on the lack of quality or standard.

it was quite substandard

Indicates that something failed to meet expectations.

it was deeply flawed

Highlights significant imperfections or faults.

it was remarkably poor

Emphasizes the unexpectedly low quality.

it was far from ideal

Understates the negativity by focusing on the absence of positive qualities.

it left much to be desired

Indirectly points out the deficiencies without explicitly stating them.

it failed to meet expectations

Indicates that something did not reach the anticipated level of quality or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "it was really bad" in a sentence?

You can use "it was really bad" to express a negative opinion or experience about something that occurred in the past. For example: "The service at the restaurant? "It was really bad"; I wouldn't go back."

What can I say instead of "it was really bad"?

You can use alternatives like "it was truly awful", "it was exceptionally terrible", or "it was utterly dreadful" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was really bad" or "it was very bad"?

Both "it was really bad" and "it was very bad" are grammatically correct. "Really" often intensifies the adjective more than "very".

What's the difference between "it was really bad" and "it was not good"?

""It was really bad"" expresses a stronger negative sentiment than "it was not good", which is a milder way of expressing dissatisfaction.