quite dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong negative opinion or feeling about something, indicating that it is very bad or unpleasant. Example: "The movie was quite dreadful, leaving the audience disappointed and bored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Which was quite dreadful.

The Guardian - Books

"It's quite dreadful.

The New York Times

It is quite, quite dreadful.

The Guardian - Music

No – the sound quality was quite dreadful.

The Guardian - Film

They trailed 2-0 after a quite dreadful start.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't you think Blake and Byron are quite dreadful?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But not since September 2001 have the numbers been quite so dreadful.

The Guardian - Film

It is quite as dreadful as it sounds.

The Guardian

It's funky, it's camp, but not quite as dreadful as that sounds.

The Guardian - Music

Following my aerial debut in a scene from a famous play with a famous actress, I had quite a dreadful dream.

The New Yorker

"A couple of years ago we were playing a rather chippy (and quite honestly dreadful) game against another bunch of has-beens.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite dreadful" to express a strong negative reaction or judgment, but be mindful of your audience and the overall tone. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives that maintain a professional demeanor.

Common error

While "quite dreadful" is acceptable, frequent use in formal documents can make your writing seem less objective. Opt for alternatives like "significantly flawed" or "critically deficient" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite dreadful" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong negative attribute. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used to convey a strong sense of dislike or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite dreadful" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjectival phrase used to express a potent negative sentiment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct. While suitable for neutral contexts like news and casual conversation, it might be perceived as overly emotive in formal or scientific writing, where alternatives like "significantly flawed" or "critically deficient" could be more appropriate. The phrase's strong negative connotation makes it effective for conveying displeasure, but careful consideration should be given to the intended audience and overall tone of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly awful

Emphasizes the complete and extreme nature of how bad something is.

absolutely terrible

Highlights the severe unpleasantness or poor quality of something.

thoroughly unpleasant

Focuses on the disagreeable and displeasing aspects of something.

exceptionally bad

Stresses that something is far worse than the average.

remarkably poor

Indicates a noticeable and significant lack of quality.

extremely disappointing

Highlights the feeling of being let down by something.

woefully inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficient or deficient nature of something.

appallingly substandard

Indicates that something fails to meet even the most basic requirements.

really atrocious

Highlights the shocking or horrifying nature of something.

painfully inferior

Focuses on the obvious and undesirable lower quality compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "quite dreadful" in a sentence?

You can use "quite dreadful" to express a strong negative opinion about something. For example, "The food at the restaurant was "quite dreadful", and I wouldn't recommend it."

What are some alternatives to "quite dreadful"?

Alternatives include "utterly awful", "absolutely terrible", or "thoroughly unpleasant", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "quite dreadful" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "quite dreadful" might be perceived as less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using more objective alternatives like "significantly flawed" or "critically deficient".

What makes "quite dreadful" different from simply saying "dreadful"?

The addition of "quite" intensifies the adjective "dreadful", making the expression of negativity stronger. It emphasizes that something is not just bad, but exceptionally so.