terrible result

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible result" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an outcome that is very poor or disappointing in various contexts, such as academic performance, project outcomes, or personal experiences. Example: "After months of hard work, the team was disheartened to see the terrible result of their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Even though entitlement programs were largely protected, the sequester was the terrible result of reckless brinkmanship.

The New York Times

I had a terrible result on a balcony by a river once.

The New York Times - Arts

The real shock here is the terrible, terrible result for the two coalition parties.

The Guardian

On its own, that would be a terrible result for Mr. Icahn.

The New York Times

His terrible result in West Virginia this week underlines once again his weakness with the white working-class.

The Economist

"It's not a terrible result," he added after Bayern snatched a win with a last-minute goal.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The rumors and false assumptions could lead to terrible results".

The New York Times

"These are terrible results after 10 years of SNP government.

The Guardian

Historically, crusades begun in response to the murders of children have had terrible results.

The New Yorker

The terrible results were the failure of that approach writ large.

The Guardian - Opinion

One source said: "There is no getting away from the fact that these are terrible results.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an event, use "terrible result" to clearly convey the severity and negative consequences of that event.

Common error

Avoid using "terrible result" in casual conversations; opt for less formal alternatives like "bummer" or "that sucks" to better suit the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible result" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "terrible" modifies the noun "result", indicating a negative or undesirable outcome. Ludwig examples show it's frequently used to describe outcomes of events, decisions, or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible result" is a common phrase used to describe significantly negative outcomes, particularly in contexts related to news, media, and formal analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood, though it's important to consider the register when choosing the phrase for different writing styles. While the semantic field is full of alternatives like "awful outcome" or "disastrous effect", the original phrase has its specific value and should be considered in order to be used when it is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful outcome

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", maintaining the sense of a very negative result.

dreadful consequence

Substitutes "result" with "consequence" and "terrible" with "dreadful", emphasizing the severe impact.

disastrous effect

Uses "disastrous" to highlight the calamitous nature of the effect.

catastrophic conclusion

Emphasizes the magnitude of the negative result.

negative consequence

Directly states the result is negative, replacing "terrible" with a more neutral adjective.

bad ending

Simple and straightforward way to describe an unfavorable conclusion.

unfavorable result

A more polite or indirect way to describe a negative outcome.

unfortunate development

Softer phrasing that still implies a negative turn of events.

suboptimal outcome

More formal way of saying the result was not as good as expected.

poor showing

Describes a bad performance or display, often in a competitive context.

FAQs

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

You can use "terrible result" to describe a very negative outcome. For example, "The company's decision led to a "terrible result" for its employees."

What are some alternatives to "terrible result"?

Alternatives include "awful outcome", "disastrous effect", or "negative consequence", depending on the specific context.

Is "terrible result" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "terrible result" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports and analytical contexts. However, consider more nuanced vocabulary if a different tone is desired.

What's the difference between "terrible result" and "bad result"?

"Terrible result" implies a more severe and negative outcome than "bad result". "Terrible" emphasizes the magnitude of the negativity.