most badly

USAGE SUMMARY

'most badly' is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
A more appropriate phrase to use in written English is 'worst.' For example, "She was one of the worst students in the class."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Those most badly affected can all too easily be ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are the people who have been most badly hurt during the Obama years.

The New York Times

This grouping includes the eight economies most badly affected by the collapse of 1997-98.

The Economist

His child, Christopher Byers, was the most badly mutilated of the three.

The New York Times

Liberal democracy is often at its strongest when most badly wounded.

The Guardian

UBS is by far the most badly damaged by the credit crisis of big European banks.

The New York Times

Unions put real unemployment at over 18% with Greek youth being among the most badly affected.

The Guardian - Business

"We would be cultivating ignorance where what we need is insight, and prejudice where we most badly need open minds".

The Guardian

Those let down most badly, he said, were victims and witnesses of crime and children who have been neglected.

The Guardian - Opinion

I counted at least 15 bodies, and there were many prisoners, most badly dressed and without shoes.

The New York Times

The building that houses Master Meat Purveyors, Desola Provisions and several other businesses appeared to be the most badly damaged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to use "most badly" to indicate a high degree of negative impact, opt for stronger, grammatically correct alternatives like "most severely" or "most seriously" to convey your message more effectively.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "most badly" in your writing. While it might appear in some sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Diversify your vocabulary with alternatives like "worst", "most severely", or "most negatively" to enhance the quality of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most badly" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to intensify the degree to which something is affected or performed poorly. Although widely used, as seen in Ludwig, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "most badly" appears frequently in various sources, including reputable news outlets, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate and grammatically sound alternative is "worst". Although "most badly" aims to emphasize the intensity of a negative impact, it's advisable to use alternatives like "most severely" or "most seriously" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. In summary, prioritize grammatical accuracy by replacing "most badly" with better options. Remember, while frequency indicates common usage, correctness ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worst

This is the grammatically correct and most direct replacement, indicating the highest degree of negativity or damage.

most severely

Emphasizes the intensity of the impact or effect.

most seriously

Highlights the gravity or importance of the negative impact.

most critically

Suggests the impact is at a crucial or dangerous level.

most negatively

Focuses on the adverse or detrimental effects.

most adversely

Similar to "most negatively", but often used in more formal contexts.

most desperately

Emphasizes a great need or urgency.

most urgently

Highlights the immediate need or critical timing.

most grievously

This alternative means severely or seriously.

most regrettably

Implies a sense of sorrow or disappointment about a bad situation.

FAQs

Is "most badly" grammatically correct?

No, "most badly" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "worst". You can use "worst" to accurately express the highest degree of negativity or damage.

What can I say instead of "most badly"?

You can use alternatives like "most severely", "most seriously", or "most negatively" depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Which is correct, "most badly" or "worst"?

"Worst" is the grammatically correct option. "Most badly" is typically considered an incorrect usage in standard English.

When should I use "most severely" instead of "most badly"?

Use "most severely" when you want to emphasize the intensity or harshness of an impact or effect. "Most badly" is not grammatically correct, making "most severely" a better choice for clarity and correctness.