terribly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "terribly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb meaning “very” or “extremely”. For example: "I am terribly sorry for being late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was quite invested in this country but at some point he clearly began to feel terribly out of place here.

The Guardian

Things aren't looking good for Jaime next season – as a betting woman I'd say that it's unlikely people (for which read Cersei) are going to be terribly happy when they find out he let Tyrion go free.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

La Fille du RER made Dequenne well known but it was not particularly an artistic success, and it was not terribly well received by the French press.

The Guardian - Film

He is seen by focus groups and polls as a little callow, a bit posh and not terribly reliable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I will miss them terribly when they are gone.

The Guardian

Salmond's audience, some of whom run businesses in the north of England, were not terribly convinced.

The Guardian

Cameron having a down-to-business persona is not terribly unlike one of those gangs who do heists in high-vis jackets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course I miss her terribly, having lost her at such a young age with so much of her life in front of her.

The Guardian

Before I inflict my various observations and prejudices on you this evening (yes, we will be Team Conchita all the way, I'm terribly sorry, in this time-delayed global celebration of ululation, impartiality really is for wimps) I thought I'd come to terms with why I'm a Eurovision tragic.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And fellow actor John Simm, who worked with Bird on the Village, wrote: "Such terribly sad news yesterday re the untimely death of the wonderful Antonia Bird.

The Guardian - Film

Most impressively, Cameron has managed all this without anybody being terribly worried by him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly" to add emphasis or intensity to a statement, but be mindful of its potentially negative connotation. It is often used to describe unpleasant experiences or strong negative feelings. For expressing a strong positive emotion or experience, consider "extremely" or "intensely".

Common error

While "terribly" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly dramatic or less professional. Opt for alternatives like "significantly" or "remarkably" to maintain a more neutral and sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "terribly" functions primarily as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to emphasize the degree or extent of an action or quality. Ludwig shows that this usage is common in expressing strong feelings or describing significant impacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly" functions as an adverb used to intensify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. As Ludwig shows, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. Although it can carry a negative connotation, it is overall neutral, fitting diverse writing styles. Consider alternatives like "extremely" or "awfully" to convey different shades of intensity, and avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for adding emphasis to statements across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely

Indicates a very high degree, similar to "terribly", but is more neutral in tone.

Awfully

Another adverb expressing a high degree, closely synonymous with "terribly".

Very much

A common and versatile way to emphasize a feeling or action.

Dreadfully

Similar to "terribly" but often used to emphasize negative situations or feelings.

Horribly

Emphasizes the unpleasant or undesirable nature of something to a great degree.

Intensely

Highlights the strength or concentration of an emotion or action.

Profoundly

Indicates a deep and significant impact or feeling.

Severely

Often used to describe the intensity of a negative impact or problem.

Remarkably

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy quality of something.

Significantly

Indicates a considerable effect or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly" in a sentence?

"Terribly" is an adverb that can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. For example, "I feel "terribly sorry" for your loss" or "The movie was "terribly boring"."

What can I say instead of "terribly"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely", "awfully", or "very much" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "terribly sorry" or "very sorry"?

Both "terribly sorry" and "very sorry" are correct. "Terribly sorry" adds a stronger emphasis to your apology compared to "very sorry".

What's the difference between "terribly" and "horribly"?

While both words can express a high degree, "horribly" usually emphasizes something unpleasant or negative, whereas "terribly" can also be used to express a strong feeling without necessarily being negative, though it often carries a slightly negative connotation. However, the user could consider using "dreadfully" as an alternative.