it would be terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion or concern about a hypothetical situation. Example: "If we were to lose the funding, it would be terrible for the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These companies can't say that they're providing the government with access –it would be terrible PR".

BBC

It would be terrible.

The New York Times

But it would be terrible in practice.

The New York Times

It would be terrible if we did.

The Guardian - Books

It would be terrible news for people across Yorkshire".

Independent

If you'd cut out 5 percent, it would be terrible.

The New York Times - Science

If it dragged out for weeks, it would be terrible".

The Guardian - Business

I felt instinctively that it would be terrible.

The New Yorker

"Because if I thought about it it would be terrible.

The Guardian - Music

"It would be terrible to just say 'Bulk is bad,"' she said.

The New York Times

It would be terrible to miss eating the food there for anything less than a catastrophe.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the negativity you wish to convey. Synonyms like "awful", "disastrous", or "unfortunate" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

Common error

While "it would be terrible" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternative phrases or restructuring your sentences to express concern in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be terrible" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a negative assessment of a hypothetical or future scenario. Ludwig AI confirms that it expresses a subjective judgment about a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be terrible" is a versatile phrase used to express a negative evaluation of a hypothetical situation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While very common, consider using synonyms like "it would be awful" or "it would be disastrous" to avoid repetition. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in expressing concerns and opinions. Ensure that the context clearly establishes the scenario being evaluated for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be awful

Replaces "terrible" with a synonym indicating a similar degree of unpleasantness.

it would be calamitous

Replaces "terrible" with a synonym indicating a disastrous event.

it would be disastrous

Substitutes "terrible" with a stronger term emphasizing a more severe negative impact.

it would be a catastrophe

Similar to disastrous, but highlights the sudden and overwhelming nature of the negative event.

it would be appalling

Highlights that the situation would be shocking and deeply unpleasant.

it would be regrettable

Conveys a sense of sorrow or disappointment about a potential outcome, softening the intensity of "terrible".

it would be unfortunate

Expresses a mild degree of bad luck or adversity, offering a less severe alternative.

it would be damaging

Focuses on the potential harm or injury that could result from a situation, rather than simply its unpleasantness.

it would be detrimental

Highlights the harmful effects on something's value or well-being.

it would be unfavorable

Suggests that the outcome would not be beneficial or advantageous.

FAQs

What does "it would be terrible" mean?

The phrase "it would be terrible" expresses that a future or hypothetical situation would be extremely unpleasant, unwelcome, or have very negative consequences.

How can I use "it would be terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "it would be terrible" to express your opinion about a hypothetical situation, as in "It would be terrible if we missed the deadline".

What can I say instead of "it would be terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be awful", "it would be disastrous", or "it would be unfortunate" depending on the context.

Is "it would be terrible" formal or informal?

The phrase "it would be terrible" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated synonym.