terrible manner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible manner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a way of doing something that is very poor or unacceptable. Example: "He handled the situation in a terrible manner, causing further confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rules that, it seems, Anders Behring Breivik has now broken in the most terrible manner.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pair's families said they are "devastated" by the loss of their loved ones in such a "terrible manner".

The Guardian

Together they failed in the most terrible manner, undermining with their various self-interests the institution they all profess so loudly to cherish.

Independent

Trent Lott, a former Senate Majority Leader, spoke for many congressional Republicans when he said that Trump had acted in a "terrible" manner.

The New Yorker

It was a day that was bursting with life--a day full of the first breaths of springand fate ruled that on this day, l46 young lives should be snuffed out in a terrible manner; they were destroyed by the horrible Triangle fire.

Cornell University

"In this case, it is the Israeli government that provoked the Palestinians in this terrible manner," he said, adding that more than 2,000 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli army and Israeli settlers this year.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Plus, the whole family has terrible manners.

Independent

Some firms do all the right things, but others have terrible manners when dealing with applicants.

The Washington Post

But we cannot and should not sentence people for bad jokes, poor taste and terrible manners.

The Guardian - Opinion

Denis Podalydés, a classical French theatre actor, wonderfully imitates the voice, body language and terrible manners of Mr Sarkozy.

Independent

"I learned about terrible manners from the family of my first husband; they didn't know how to treat people," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrible manner" when you want to strongly criticize how something was done. It implies not just incompetence but also a morally questionable aspect.

Common error

While "terrible manner" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal contexts. Opt for more nuanced and specific language to describe the deficiency instead of resorting to this general phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible manner" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the way in which an action is performed, emphasizing the negative or undesirable quality of that action. Ludwig confirms the acceptability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terrible manner" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an action performed in an extremely poor or unacceptable way. According to Ludwig, it is commonly found in News & Media and Academia. While acceptable, it's important to consider the context and choose more specific language where appropriate. Consider alternatives such as "awful way" or "poor fashion" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Use "terrible manner" when you want to express strong disapproval or criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful way

Replaces 'terrible' with 'awful' to emphasize the unpleasantness of the manner.

appalling fashion

Substitutes both words for synonyms indicating shock and disapproval.

dreadful approach

Focuses on the method or approach being particularly bad.

poor fashion

A more neutral way of saying something was done badly.

unacceptable method

Highlights that the manner is not within acceptable standards.

deplorable practice

Emphasizes the action as a negative and regrettable habit or method.

egregious manner

Uses 'egregious' to denote the exceptionally bad quality of the manner.

shockingly bad way

Highlights surprise and disapproval at how something was done.

in a disgraceful manner

Focuses on the shamefulness or dishonor associated with the action.

in a reprehensible way

Emphasizes that the action is deserving of strong condemnation.

FAQs

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

You can use "terrible manner" to describe how someone handled a situation badly, like: "He managed the project in a "terrible manner", leading to significant losses."

What are some alternatives to "terrible manner"?

Alternatives include "awful way", "poor fashion", or "unacceptable method depending on the context".

Is it okay to use "terrible manner" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "terrible manner" might sound too informal or emotional for certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "unacceptable method" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "terrible manner" and "poor manner"?

"Terrible manner" implies a stronger degree of negativity and disapproval than "poor manner". "Terrible" suggests a morally reprehensible or highly damaging action, while "poor" indicates a simple lack of quality.