something awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something awful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event, situation, or feeling that is extremely bad or unpleasant. Example: "The news of the disaster was something awful that left everyone in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did something awful just happen?

The New York Times - Arts

It called viruses "something awful".

The New York Times - Tech

- Well, something awful.

The Guardian - Books

He was going to say something awful.

The New Yorker

So something awful is haunting the Lohmans.

The New York Times - Books

Something awful is going to happen".

The New Yorker

Was this a portent of something awful?

The Economist

They might see something awful being born.

The Guardian - Film

Like, you just went through something awful.

Harvard Business Review

Reader, something awful is about to happen.

The Washington Post

Something awful is about to happen.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "something awful". While widely accepted, it can sound informal. In professional or academic settings, a more precise or nuanced term might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "something awful" is acceptable in general writing, avoid its overuse in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "a significant setback" or "an unfortunate incident" to maintain a higher level of formality and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something awful" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying an implied verb by describing the nature of an event or situation. As Ludwig shows, it typically follows verbs like happen, feel, or know, indicating that something negative or unfortunate is occurring or is anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something awful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a negative or unfortunate event. As Ludwig shows, it functions as an adverbial phrase, often appearing in news, books, and lifestyle content. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. When writing, remember that while generally acceptable, it may be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider more precise alternatives like "a significant setback" or "an unfortunate incident" for formal writing. This analysis highlights the importance of context when choosing the right words to convey your message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something terrible

Replaces "awful" with a more common synonym, indicating a bad or unpleasant experience.

something dreadful

Uses a stronger word to convey a sense of fear or dismay, implying a more severe negative experience.

something horrible

Conveys a sense of disgust or revulsion, highlighting the unpleasant nature of the event.

something shocking

Emphasizes the surprising and upsetting nature of the event, focusing on its unexpected impact.

something appalling

Indicates moral outrage or disgust, suggesting the event is not only bad but also ethically wrong.

something atrocious

Implies extreme wickedness or cruelty, suggesting a particularly heinous or evil act.

something miserable

Focuses on the unhappiness or suffering caused by the event, emphasizing its negative emotional impact.

something unfortunate

Downplays the severity slightly, suggesting bad luck or a regrettable occurrence rather than something deeply terrible.

a terrible event

Uses "event" to replace the more vague "something" making it more precise but less versatile.

an unpleasant situation

Provides a more general and less intense description, suitable for formal or professional contexts where strong emotions are not appropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "something awful" in a sentence?

You can use "something awful" to describe a bad situation or event. For example, "I knew "something awful had happened" when I saw the police cars outside."

What can I say instead of "something awful"?

You can use alternatives like "something terrible", "something horrible", or "something dreadful" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "something awful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "something awful" is grammatically correct. It's a common idiomatic expression used to describe a negative event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard English grammar rules.

What's the difference between "something awful" and "something bad"?

"Something awful" implies a greater degree of negativity or severity compared to "something bad". "Something awful" suggests a truly terrible or unpleasant experience, while "something bad" can refer to a milder negative occurrence.