seriously bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seriously bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity or extent of something being bad or negative. Example: "The weather has been seriously bad this week, causing numerous delays and cancellations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Seriously bad choices are rare.

The New York Times - Food

This is seriously bad news for Romney.

The New Yorker

They make some seriously bad calls.

The Guardian

Of course, mass death also looks like seriously bad news.

The New Yorker

This could be seriously bad news for Scotland's economy".

The Guardian

Which is seriously bad news for the gullible Trojans.

The Guardian - Film

How does Chad have any friends at all? — Left a SERIOUSLY bad taste in my mouth.

The New Yorker

It's obvious: the Beats are responsible for turning impressionable young males into seriously bad writers.

The Guardian - Books

We are very aware that we still have not seen the seriously bad days.

The Guardian

The images they use are mainly from the al-Jazeera and Arabiyah networks - seriously bad stuff.

The Guardian

Not for the first time, the care sector is getting some seriously bad press.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seriously bad" to emphasize the severity of a negative situation. For impactful writing, follow it with a specific consequence or example to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously bad" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound colloquial. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "critically flawed" or "gravely concerning" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seriously bad" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the severity of its negative quality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It intensifies the adjective "bad", indicating a significant degree of negativity or severity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seriously bad" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the severity of a negative condition or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it serves to express strong disapproval or concern. While versatile, it is more suited for neutral to informal contexts, with more formal alternatives recommended for academic or business writing. The semantic proximity of alternatives like "very terrible" and "extremely awful" demonstrates its flexibility in conveying similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very terrible

Uses a different intensifier and synonym for "bad" for slight variation.

extremely awful

Employs a stronger adjective and intensifier to convey a similar level of negativity.

gravely serious

Shifts focus to the severe consequences, rather than simple negativity.

critically poor

Highlights a lack of quality or standard, using formal vocabulary.

woefully inadequate

Indicates a severe deficiency or insufficiency.

utterly dreadful

Emphasizes complete and total negativity or unpleasantness.

completely unacceptable

Focuses on the unsuitability or impermissibility of something.

majorly flawed

Points out significant defects or imperfections.

terribly wrong

Highlights a deviation from correctness or appropriateness.

distinctly substandard

Indicates a clear failure to meet expected quality levels.

FAQs

How can I use "seriously bad" in a sentence?

You can use "seriously bad" to describe situations, conditions, or outcomes that are significantly negative. For instance, "The weather has been seriously bad this week" or "His decision-making skills are seriously bad".

What are some alternatives to "seriously bad"?

Alternatives include "very terrible", "extremely awful", or "gravely serious", depending on the context.

Is "seriously bad" formal or informal?

"Seriously bad" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation, news articles, or less formal writing. For academic or business writing, consider more formal alternatives.

What makes something "seriously bad" as opposed to just "bad"?

The addition of "seriously" intensifies the degree to which something is bad. It suggests that the negative situation or quality is significant and potentially has serious consequences.