markedly more dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "markedly more dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant increase in the level of dreadfulness or unpleasantness of something compared to another. Example: "The sequel to the horror movie was markedly more dreadful than the original, leaving audiences feeling uneasy long after it ended."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats are markedly more ambivalent about Israel.

The Economist

They are markedly more confident, than Maleka.

The Guardian

The ocean has become markedly more acidic.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Scottish case brings an even more dreadful prospect.

The Economist

The presentation made it even more dreadful.

The New York Times - Health

Communist bloc societies were markedly more egalitarian than North Korea.

The Guardian

In the north, there is markedly more violence.

The Guardian

Analysing the odds of winning the lottery after the October rule change, he said: "They were dreadful before, they are more dreadful now".

Independent

Two very video-gamey things made the adventure all the more dreadful.

The New York Times - Arts

His mother, Adelaide, was more dreadful still, thanks to her religious fanaticism.

The New Yorker

Ever since then, Lieberman's ideas for legislation have gotten more bipartisan and more dreadful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "markedly more dreadful" to emphasize a significant increase in the level of unpleasantness or fear associated with something, compared to a previous state or another item. For impact, pair it with vivid imagery to enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers. While "markedly more dreadful" is acceptable, adding further adverbs (e.g., "extremely markedly more dreadful") weakens the impact and sounds redundant. Choose stronger core adjectives instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "markedly more dreadful" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, intensifying the description of something unpleasant or frightening. The adverb "markedly" modifies the comparative adjective "more dreadful", emphasizing the significant degree of increase in dreadfulness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "markedly more dreadful" is a grammatically sound way to express a significant increase in unpleasantness or fear. While not frequently used, according to Ludwig AI, it is acceptable and can add emphasis to your writing. Consider alternatives like "significantly more terrible" or "considerably more horrifying" to achieve a similar effect. Avoid overuse to maintain impact. When using the phrase remember to create a very vivid picture in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

markedly more horrific

Replaces "dreadful" with "horrific" which can imply intense fear and shock.

markedly more unpleasant

Replaces "dreadful" with the more general "unpleasant", broadening the scope of the phrase.

significantly more terrible

Replaces "markedly" with "significantly", emphasizing the extent of dreadfulness.

considerably more terrible

Synonymous alternative; focuses on the intensity of being terrible.

considerably more horrifying

Substitutes both "markedly" and "dreadful" with synonyms, altering the tone slightly towards horror.

noticeably more awful

Uses "noticeably" instead of "markedly", suggesting the dreadfulness is easily observed.

substantially more frightening

Replaces "dreadful" with "frightening", shifting the focus to fear rather than general unpleasantness.

appreciably more alarming

Substitutes "markedly" with "appreciably" and "dreadful" with "alarming", indicating a cause for concern.

decidedly more dire

Uses "decidedly" instead of "markedly" and "dire" instead of "dreadful", implying a severe and urgent situation.

distinctly more ghastly

Replaces "dreadful" with "ghastly", emphasizing the shocking and repulsive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "markedly more dreadful" in a sentence?

You can use "markedly more dreadful" to describe a situation or experience that has become significantly worse or more unpleasant. For example, "The sequel to the horror movie was markedly more dreadful than the original, leaving audiences feeling uneasy long after it ended."

What are some alternatives to "markedly more dreadful"?

Some alternatives include "significantly more terrible", "considerably more horrifying", or "noticeably more awful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "markedly more dreadful"?

Yes, "markedly more dreadful" is grammatically correct, although it may sound somewhat formal or emphatic. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules.

What is the difference between "markedly more dreadful" and "slightly more dreadful"?

"Markedly more dreadful" implies a substantial increase in dreadfulness, whereas "slightly more dreadful" indicates a minor or barely noticeable difference. The choice depends on the degree of intensity you wish to convey.