terrible acts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible acts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions that are morally wrong, harmful, or distressing. Example: "The news reported on the terrible acts committed during the conflict, leaving the community in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Terrible acts are serious.

The New York Times - Books

Terrible acts of anti-Semitism have been committed in Europe over the past few years.

Independent

This is a book that deals with — or touches on, at least — terrible acts.

The New York Times - Books

Morals are local, and can be used to justify terrible acts or the morality of a specific group, he explains.

The Guardian

But you do not lose innocence when you learn about terrible acts; you lose your innocence when you commit them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Along the way he commits terrible acts that will haunt the rest of his days, and yet he doggedly clings to the goal of survival.

The New York Times - Books

It is true that sexual assaults happen to Peace Corps volunteers and women all around the world, and yes, we should all grieve over these terrible acts.

The New York Times

The horrors of mankind have everything to do with why we commit terrible acts, and nothing to do with how often or under what conditions we do them.

The New York Times - Books

The arbitrariness and rank unfairness, inequality and horrifying stupidity, terrible acts of God and far worse things we do to each other and ourselves … the full shopping-list.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were pogroms and other terrible acts of prejudice against Jews, but anti-Semitism was precipitated partly because Jews seemed to their persecutors to be disproportionately successful in their dealings with the Christian world.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"You can deal with these terrible unspeakable acts in a way that makes you whole".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "terrible acts", provide sufficient detail to convey the impact and scope of the events, while remaining sensitive to the potential emotional effect on the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "terrible acts" in contexts where the actions described are not genuinely severe or do not warrant such strong language. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible acts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies specific actions characterized by their extremely negative nature. Ludwig confirms this by providing examples where the phrase describes morally wrong or harmful actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible acts" is a frequently used phrase to describe actions that are morally reprehensible, harmful, or distressing. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, formal, and scientific contexts. High-quality sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase. While highly effective in conveying severity, overuse can dilute its impact, emphasizing the importance of using it judiciously. Alternatives like "heinous crimes" or "atrocious deeds" can provide varied language choices while maintaining the intended strong condemnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heinous crimes

Emphasizes the criminal and morally reprehensible nature of the acts.

atrocious deeds

Highlights the shocking and appalling quality of the actions.

horrific actions

Focuses on the frightening and dreadful aspect of the acts.

unspeakable atrocities

Stresses that the acts are so awful they are difficult to describe.

egregious offenses

Emphasizes the blatant and outrageous nature of the acts as violations.

grave misdeeds

Highlights the serious and significant wrongdoing involved.

appalling behaviors

Focuses on the shocking and disturbing nature of the conduct.

outrageous transgressions

Emphasizes the acts as violations of moral or legal boundaries, causing outrage.

wicked deeds

Focuses on the malevolent and evil nature of the acts.

deplorable actions

Stresses that the acts are deserving of strong condemnation and disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible acts" in a sentence?

You can use "terrible acts" to describe actions that are morally wrong, harmful, or distressing. For example, "The news reported on the terrible acts committed during the conflict, leaving the community in shock."

What can I say instead of "terrible acts"?

You can use alternatives like "heinous crimes", "atrocious deeds", or "horrific actions" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "terrible acts" in formal writing?

Yes, "terrible acts" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious events or actions in news reports, academic papers, or formal reports. However, ensure that the context warrants such strong language.

What is the difference between "terrible acts" and "bad actions"?

"Terrible acts" implies a greater degree of severity and moral wrongness than "bad actions". While "bad actions" can refer to minor misdeeds, "terrible acts" suggests actions that are deeply harmful or morally reprehensible.