it was terribly cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was terribly cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an extremely low temperature or an uncomfortable coldness in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As we stepped outside, we quickly realized it was terribly cold, and we wished we had worn warmer jackets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was terribly cold and the first dinner we had was particularly bad fish so we were all ill, and then my father, to cheer me up, went and bought me a pony.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

New York, these days, is terribly cold.

Vice

"It's terribly cozy".

The New York Times

"It was terribly, terribly painful.

The Guardian

It was terribly difficult.

Harvard University

It was terribly, terribly upsetting.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was terribly grand.

Independent

It was terribly authoritarian.

The Guardian - Tech

It was terribly confusing.

The New York Times

It was terribly aggressive.

The New Yorker

"It was terribly unfair".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was terribly cold", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to (e.g., the weather, a room, a specific location). This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly" excessively in your writing, as it can sound repetitive or melodramatic. Vary your intensifiers with alternatives like "extremely", "bitterly", or more descriptive adjectives to keep your prose engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was terribly cold" functions as a descriptive statement. It uses the verb 'was' to link the subject 'it' to the adjective phrase 'terribly cold', which modifies 'it'. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was terribly cold" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase employed to describe extremely low temperatures. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and provides various examples from reputable sources, indicating its usage in both news and academic contexts. While it's a straightforward and neutral expression, varying intensifiers can enhance writing. Considering that the phrase is relatively common, substituting with "it was extremely cold" or "it was bitterly cold", might be useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was extremely cold

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", a direct synonym, maintaining the same sentence structure.

it was bitterly cold

Substitutes "terribly" with "bitterly", emphasizing the harshness of the cold.

it was unbelievably cold

Replaces "terribly" with "unbelievably" to emphasize the unexpected or surprising degree of coldness.

it was frightfully cold

Uses "frightfully" instead of "terribly" to express a high degree of coldness, adding a slightly old-fashioned tone.

the cold was terrible

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the cold itself as the subject, rather than describing it.

the temperature was terribly low

Changes the sentence to focus on the temperature, using "terribly low" to describe it.

a terrible cold swept through

Alters the sentence to indicate a cold front or weather system, using "terrible" to describe its intensity.

the chill was unbearable

Shifts focus to the feeling of the cold, using "unbearable" to express its severity.

the cold was piercing

Uses "piercing" to describe the penetrating quality of the cold.

a bone-chilling cold set in

Introduces a more descriptive and vivid image of the cold, suggesting a long-lasting or pervasive cold.

FAQs

What does "it was terribly cold" mean?

The phrase "it was terribly cold" means that the temperature was extremely low, causing significant discomfort. It indicates a higher degree of coldness than simply saying "it was cold".

What can I say instead of "it was terribly cold"?

You can use alternatives like "it was extremely cold", "it was bitterly cold", or "the cold was intense" to express a similar meaning.

Is "it was terribly cold" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was terribly cold" is grammatically correct. The sentence follows standard English syntax, with "it" as the subject, "was" as the verb, and "terribly cold" as the predicate adjective.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "it was terribly cold"?

The phrase "it was terribly cold" is suitable for descriptive writing or storytelling to convey the experience of very low temperatures. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, depending on the overall tone of the piece.