less terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as bad as something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "The weather today is less terrible than it was yesterday, making it more enjoyable to go outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, Smith doesn't seem that much less terrible.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But I believe we can find a way to make P.T.S.D. less terrible.

The New Yorker

They waited for him to go on, to make it less terrible.

The New Yorker

Some of the hazards of a no deal might transpire to be less terrible than forecast.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have recovered from a terrible 20% to a fractionally less terrible 23%.

The Guardian - Opinion

Giving the seat away (preferably to India) would be barely less terrible short-term politics than scrapping Trident.

Independent

On Syria, even Mr Hounshell uses the term "mission impossible", and hopes for a merely "less terrible" strategy.

The Economist

Editing the first draft is the second most painful; but the end result will be something less terrible.

The Economist

The tale imagines death as rendered less terrible by the tender feelings it may produce in others.

The Guardian - Film

"A Sport and a Pastime" — the confession embedded within it — didn't help make things any less terrible.

The New Yorker

The consequences of Iraq are far less terrible for us than for Iraqis, but they are bad enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less terrible" to indicate a relative improvement from a previous, worse state. It implies that the situation is still bad, but not as bad as before.

Common error

Avoid using "less terrible" when you want to convey a significant or complete resolution. It implies a marginal improvement, not a total fix. Consider alternatives like "better" or "resolved" for greater improvements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less terrible" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something that is not as bad or severe as something else. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it implies a reduction in negativity rather than a complete removal of it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less terrible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys that something is not as bad as it previously was. While various alternatives such as "somewhat better" or "slightly improved" exist, "less terrible" maintains a neutral tone and is widely accepted across different contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, remember that it indicates a marginal improvement rather than a complete solution. Overall, "less terrible" is a reliable phrase for expressing nuanced degrees of negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as awful

This alternative uses simpler language to convey the same meaning, emphasizing a reduction in severity.

somewhat better

This phrase focuses on improvement rather than reduced negativity, offering a more positive spin.

slightly improved

Highlights a small degree of positive change, suggesting a minor betterment.

not quite so bad

This alternative uses a more colloquial tone to express a similar sentiment of reduced negativity.

a bit more bearable

Focuses on the increased tolerability of a situation, suggesting it's now easier to endure.

mildly better

This phrase indicates a slight improvement in a gentle manner.

marginally improved

Suggests that the improvement is very small or barely noticeable.

not as dreadful

Similar to "not as awful" but may carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the original negativity.

somewhat more acceptable

Focuses on increased acceptability or approval, rather than a reduction in negativity.

a shade better

This is a more figurative way of saying that something has improved slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "less terrible" in a sentence?

The phrase "less terrible" is used to describe something that is not as bad as it once was. For example, "The traffic today is "less terrible" than yesterday, so we should arrive on time."

What are some alternatives to "less terrible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not as awful", "somewhat better", or "slightly improved" to express a similar idea.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less terrible"?

Yes, "less terrible" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of using "less" to form the comparative degree of an adjective.

When is it appropriate to use "less terrible" versus "better"?

"Less terrible" suggests a marginal improvement from a bad state, while "better" implies a more significant or complete improvement. Use "less terrible" when something is still bad, but not as bad as before, and use "better" when something is genuinely improved.