terrible heat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible heat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express discomfort due to extreme temperatures. For example, "The terrible heat kept us from enjoying our picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

We could feel the terrible heat, our bodies shook as the ground vibrated.

Independent

And in the title story it is the terrible heat of the Philippine countryside.

The New York Times - Books

He hits the road in a car, and experiences the terrible heat of a small Southern town in the summer.

The New Yorker

When I got home, there was no light, water or gas, so I'd eat some cold food, amid a terrible heat.

The New York Times - Arts

The hot walls of the buildings are like the bodies of people who have died in the terrible heat and haven't gone cold yet..

The New Yorker

The three of them trudged more than 75 miles in the terrible heat to a hospital in the capital city, Addis Ababa, where his mother died.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"The volcano fought back at us, and we had to deal with terrible weather, tremendous heat from the lava, descending and ascending 400 meters of near vertical, loose rock face, acid rain so strong that it could have come from a car battery, and a variety of other craziness".

Huffington Post

The silk sari is reserved for those special occasions (like weddings) when it is worth even bearing the terrible Chennai heat to flaunt that latest design.

The New York Times

On another occasion, an incendiary bomb, a thermite bomb, fell behind our house, and burned with a terrible, white-hot heat.

The New Yorker

The terrible "Taking the Heat" begins at Christmas but soon leaps to the hottest day of the year: "It's 100 degrees... the city's gonna be a zoo today, power outages, maybe riots... jungle hot and humid," cries the ubiquitous radio announcer.

The New York Times

Brits are famous worldwide for being terrible in the heat.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing weather conditions or environments, use "terrible heat" to effectively convey the severity and unpleasantness of high temperatures.

Common error

Avoid using "terrible heat" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "intense heat" or "oppressive heat" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible heat" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "terrible" modifies the noun "heat". It describes the intensity and unpleasantness of the heat. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Unknown

6%

Other

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terrible heat" effectively conveys the unpleasantness of high temperatures, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly used in news and media, as well as in more formal and business contexts. When writing, it's a good practice to vary your descriptions of heat using synonyms to avoid repetition. Keep in mind the specific nuance you want to convey, as alternatives like "intense heat" or "oppressive heat" can subtly shift the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense heat

Replaces "terrible" with "intense", focusing on the strength of the heat.

extreme heat

Substitutes "terrible" with "extreme", highlighting the severity of the heat.

oppressive heat

Uses "oppressive" to convey the feeling of being weighed down by the heat.

unbearable heat

Emphasizes that the heat is too difficult to tolerate.

sweltering heat

Replaces "terrible" with "sweltering", vividly describing the hot and humid conditions.

fierce heat

Focuses on the aggressive and powerful nature of the heat.

blistering heat

Implies the heat is so strong it could cause blisters.

scorching heat

Suggests the heat is capable of burning or drying things out.

brutal heat

Highlights the harsh and unforgiving nature of the heat.

infernal heat

Conveys the idea of heat resembling that of hell or the underworld.

FAQs

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

You can use "terrible heat" to describe weather, working conditions, or any situation where the temperature is uncomfortably high. For example, "The construction workers labored under the "terrible heat" of the summer sun."

What phrases are similar to "terrible heat"?

Similar phrases include "intense heat", "extreme heat", and "oppressive heat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "terrible heat" in formal writing?

Yes, "terrible heat" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. While it's descriptive, it's not overly colloquial or informal.

What's the difference between "terrible heat" and "intense heat"?

While both describe high temperatures, "terrible heat" emphasizes the unpleasantness or suffering caused by the heat, whereas "intense heat" focuses more on the degree or strength of the heat.