so bad that

USAGE SUMMARY

'so bad that' is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the extent or the severity of something bad. Example sentence: "He had a headache so bad that he couldn't get out of bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is so bad that a person could write books about its badness.

Los Angeles Times

It's so bad that I miss Newt Gingrich.

The New York Times

Things get so bad that the town is quarantined.

The New York Times - Books

First, it's not so bad that people don't try it.

The New York Times

Eventually Lean's health got so bad that he became bedridden.

Independent

So bad that Frank Wildhorn got a nod.

The Guardian

"The pain got so bad that I just thought... phew".

The Guardian - Film

The smell became so bad that people began to leave.

The New Yorker

It was so bad that people ate tulip bulbs.

The New York Times

He broke it so bad that it drawed up.

The New Yorker

Hamburger SV: so bad that they cannot get relegated.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "so bad that" with strong verbs and vivid descriptions to maximize the impact of your writing and effectively convey the gravity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "so bad that" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structures and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider using synonyms or alternative phrasings to express the same idea in a fresh way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so bad that" functions as a causal connector, linking a negative condition to its resulting consequence. Ludwig examples show this phrase is commonly used to emphasize the severity of the initial situation and its direct impact. It highlights the extent to which something is undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so bad that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used connector to illustrate a negative consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears most often in news and media, serving to emphasize the severity of a situation. For greater writing impact, use strong verbs and vivid descriptions. Avoid overuse, and consider alternatives like "so terrible that" or "so awful that" for variation. Remember to pair "so bad that" with relevant context to clearly convey the degree and implications of the negative condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so terrible that

Replaces "bad" with a stronger synonym, indicating a higher degree of negativity.

so awful that

Similar to "so terrible that", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the situation.

it was so severe that

Emphasizes the intensity of a negative condition or event.

the situation was so dire that

Focuses on the severity of the "situation", implying a critical state.

so critical that

Highlights the urgency and potential danger resulting from a negative situation.

to such an extent that it was bad

Uses a more formal structure to express a similar level of severity.

such a disaster that

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the initial event.

it was so unfortunate that

Focuses on the element of bad luck or misfortune.

it got to the point where it was bad

Describes the situation escalating to an undesirable state.

things deteriorated to the point that

Highlights the process of worsening conditions leading to a critical stage.

FAQs

How can I use "so bad that" in a sentence?

Use "so bad that" to show the consequences of something negative. For example, "The movie was "so bad that" I walked out early."

What are some alternatives to "so bad that"?

Alternatives include "so terrible that", "so awful that", or "to such an extent that it was bad".

Is it grammatically correct to say "so bad that"?

Yes, "so bad that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express the intensity of a negative situation.

What's the difference between "so bad that" and "too bad that"?

"So bad that" indicates a consequence of severity, while "too bad that" expresses regret or disappointment. For example, "It's "too bad that" you missed the party" shows regret, while "The traffic was "so bad that" I was late" shows consequence.