much more terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much more terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a greater degree of something being terrible, often in a comparative context. Example: "The storm was much more terrible than we had anticipated, causing widespread damage across the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But beneath them came fainter sounds that were much more terrible: the cry of "Stretcher-bearer!" from desperate men.

The Economist

For many Chechen families, the accusation of homosexuality is much more terrible than the charge of supporting terrorism.

The New Yorker

I knew I was using a word that suggested something much more terrible than anything that happens in my story of teen-age initiation.

The New Yorker

It is terrible enough that those people lost 14 years of freedom, how much more terrible it would have been had three of them lost their lives.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was a terrible event, caused by a much more terrible event, which again brought to the surface the many troubling aspects of how the nuclear industry operates.

The Guardian

Or is it the long hours, the loneliness, the inability to spend time with their children — so much more terrible than the plight of a middle-aged immigrant mother working double shifts as an office cleaner?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the crime Erdely described was much more unusual and terrible than a mugging.

The New Yorker

And I'd rather have the pain of discipline than feel the regret, which is much more of a terrible feeling to me.

The New York Times

But something much more profound underlies this terrible episode.

The New York Times

The New Yorker, December 27 , 1947P. 19 "We've got this most awfully talented young moralist coming out to do the rumpus room," one of two suburban ladies was heard saying at Saks the other day, "And the most wonderful thing about him is that he isn't terrible much more expensive than wallpaper".

The New Yorker

For this scene to be held by fans as the biggest misstep of the show – worse than the creation of much hated whiner Dawn, more terrible still than the episode where a perverse haunted house forced Buffy and Riley to have continuous sex – is significant.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much more terrible" to emphasize a stark contrast in severity when comparing two negative situations or events. This intensifies the impact of the second situation.

Common error

Avoid using "much more terrible" excessively in casual conversation; consider alternatives like "far worse" or "significantly worse" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much more terrible" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It intensifies the adjective "terrible", indicating a greater degree of negativity or severity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and effectively used to emphasize a significant difference in the intensity of a negative attribute.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much more terrible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase that effectively emphasizes the severity of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found predominantly in news and media contexts. While suitable for formal and professional writing, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. When aiming to convey a heightened degree of negativity, consider alternatives like "far more dreadful" or "considerably worse" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far more dreadful

Emphasizes a greater degree of dreadfulness.

considerably worse

Highlights a significant increase in negative quality.

significantly more awful

Indicates a notable increase in awfulness.

vastly more horrifying

Stresses a large difference in the level of horror.

substantially more frightening

Emphasizes a considerable increase in fear-inducing quality.

noticeably more alarming

Indicates a readily apparent increase in alarm.

appreciably more grave

Highlights a clear increase in seriousness or gravity.

markedly more severe

Shows a distinct increase in the level of severity.

distinctly more unpleasant

Emphasizes a clear difference in how unpleasant something is.

decidedly more grim

Highlights a definitive increase in the grimness of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "much more terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "much more terrible" to compare two negative situations, emphasizing the greater severity of one. For example, "The consequences of that decision were "much more terrible" than we anticipated."

What are some alternatives to "much more terrible"?

Some alternatives include "far more dreadful", "considerably worse", or "significantly more awful", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "much more terrible"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses "much more" as an intensifier to the adjective "terrible", indicating a greater degree of something negative.

When is it appropriate to use "much more terrible"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize a significant difference in the severity or negativity between two things. It's suitable for formal writing and news reports where you need to convey the gravity of a situation.