terrible quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible quality" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is of very poor standard or condition. For example, "The movie had terrible quality, making it hard to enjoy." Alternative expressions include "poor quality" and "subpar quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The studio scammed Owolabi and left him with a recording of terrible quality.

The New Yorker

We soon learned that the milk was of terrible quality, watery and slightly bitter.

The New York Times

Students have told me plenty of horror stories about cooking disasters using terrible quality equipment, particularly pans.

The Guardian

Dan Kinem, who writes for a blog devoted to VHS culture, said the terrible quality of VHS "works well" for the horror genre.

The New York Times

Being so young, the coal was of a terrible quality and hardly burned at all, especially since the mines were so waterlogged.

The New Yorker

Maxwell speaks of privilege, but one privilege the insured and well-off have is to excuse the terrible quality of services the government routinely delivers to the poor.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Are those such terrible qualities in an artist?

The Guardian - Arts

The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment, a laundry list of a lover's terrible qualities, he called "the most despicable thing I ever wrote".

The Guardian - Music

Great traits for an engineer, but terrible qualities for a leader who needs to listen to and empathize with his subordinates so he can whip them into a frenzy of productivity.

Forbes

A list of my terrible qualities.

Huffington Post

"She is filthy and she is mean, which is what we love about her because those are wonderful qualities for comedians and terrible qualities for free world leaders," Meyers said of his friend and "Late Night" alum on Monday.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific product or service, provide details about why the quality is "terrible", such as specific defects or shortcomings. For example, instead of saying "The food was of terrible quality", specify "The food was of terrible quality: the meat was undercooked and the vegetables were mushy".

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is of "terrible quality" without providing any supporting evidence or specific examples. This can make your writing seem subjective and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible quality" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It's used to express disapproval or dissatisfaction with the standard or condition of something. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across different domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible quality" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong negative assessment of something's standard or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, media, and business contexts. While effective, specifying why something has "terrible quality" enhances clarity. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "substandard quality" for increased objectivity. Overall, it's a widely understood phrase, but using it with context and purpose will allow a better usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low quality

Simplifies the phrase by using "low" as a direct indicator of quality level.

poor quality

Replaces "terrible" with a milder synonym, "poor", maintaining the core meaning of low quality.

bad quality

Simplifies the phrase using "bad" as a general indicator of unacceptable quality.

awful quality

Substitutes "terrible" with "awful", emphasizing the extremely bad nature of the quality.

dreadful quality

Replaces "terrible" with "dreadful", highlighting the unpleasantness of the low quality.

abysmal quality

Substitutes "terrible" with "abysmal", indicating that the quality is extremely bad or hopeless.

substandard quality

Uses a more formal term, "substandard", to indicate the quality is below an acceptable level.

appalling quality

Replaces "terrible" with "appalling", emphasizing the shocking or horrifying aspect of the poor quality.

atrocious quality

Uses "atrocious" to express the extremely wicked or brutal nature of the quality.

inferior quality

Employs "inferior" to denote that the quality is lower compared to a standard or other items.

FAQs

How can I describe something that has "terrible quality" in more detail?

Instead of just saying "terrible quality", specify the issues. For example, "The product had "poor workmanship" and several defects" or "The service was characterized by "extreme negligence" and lack of attention to detail".

What are some less common synonyms for "terrible quality"?

While "poor quality" is common, consider alternatives like "substandard quality", "inferior quality", or "deficient quality" for a more formal or nuanced description.

Is it always appropriate to use "terrible quality" in formal writing?

While understandable, "terrible" can sound subjective. In formal contexts, consider more objective terms such as "unacceptable quality", "subpar quality", or detailing the specific defects instead.

How does "terrible quality" compare to "low quality"?

"Terrible quality" suggests a more severe degree of inadequacy than "low quality". "Terrible" implies something is extremely bad, whereas "low" simply indicates a position on a scale.