terribly helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly helpful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very helpful, often with a hint of irony or exaggeration. Example: "Despite the chaos, the instructions were terribly helpful in guiding us through the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But this is not terribly helpful.

The Economist

In many ways, the analogy is no longer terribly helpful.

The Economist

"They were terribly helpful in spending lots of time writing policy for them," said one source.

The Guardian - Money

("I'm in Rockefeller Center" is not terribly helpful. "I'm in J. Crew" is).

The New York Times

"Personal opinion in these matters is not terribly helpful," said Tuke.

The Guardian

To go by "The Godfather," mafiosi look like white men of European descent, which, as generalizations go, isn't terribly helpful.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Instead, I imagine, out comes the terribly-not-helpful Survivor staff Christian Science Practitioner, to let Joe know that his swollen, purple, pus-bloated, diseased limb is merely a manifestation of his belief in horribly-infected legs.

Huffington Post

"Not because we were avoiding anybody on that set - Tom Hanks was terribly friendly and very helpful to us all - but we did get together and confided to each other that we couldn't understand a word of the plot.

The Guardian - Film

"It's terribly important to him to be as helpful as possible, including a suitable memorial".

The New York Times

They're both wanting to try and do the right thing and be helpful, but so often they get it so terribly wrong, and I think we can all relate to that".

Wikipedia

Some people would be helpful, smile, take leaflets and buy badges; others were terribly against us and labelled us "Commies".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly helpful" to convey a strong sense of assistance or utility, often with a touch of understatement or mild irony. It's more impactful than simply saying 'helpful'.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly" excessively in your writing. While it can effectively amplify an adjective like 'helpful', overuse diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your vocabulary with alternatives such as 'extremely', 'incredibly', or 'remarkably'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly helpful" functions as an intensifier plus adjective, modifying the degree to which something is helpful. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe instructions, people, and resources, highlighting their significant assistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terribly helpful" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is significantly useful. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news and media contexts and is used to highlight the utility of various subjects, ranging from instructions to resources. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously and consider more formal alternatives like "extremely beneficial" in strictly formal settings. Overall, "terribly helpful" is an effective way to convey a strong sense of assistance or utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely beneficial

Replaces 'helpful' with 'beneficial' and 'terribly' with 'extremely', emphasizing the positive impact.

incredibly useful

Substitutes 'helpful' with 'useful' and 'terribly' with 'incredibly', highlighting practicality.

remarkably supportive

Changes the focus to 'supportive' and intensifies with 'remarkably', indicating a strong backing.

exceptionally advantageous

Replaces 'helpful' with 'advantageous' and 'terribly' with 'exceptionally', stressing the favorable nature.

highly valuable

Focuses on the 'value' provided and uses 'highly' instead of 'terribly'.

immensely constructive

Highlights the 'constructive' nature and emphasizes with 'immensely'.

considerably assistive

Uses 'assistive' as an alternative and 'considerably' as an intensifier.

vastly accommodating

Shifts the focus to 'accommodating' and uses 'vastly' to amplify the effect.

profoundly effective

Emphasizes the 'effectiveness' and uses 'profoundly' for stronger impact.

decidedly worthwhile

Replaces 'helpful' with 'worthwhile' and 'terribly' with 'decidedly', pointing out the value.

FAQs

How can I use "terribly helpful" in a sentence?

You can use "terribly helpful" to describe something that provides significant assistance or is highly beneficial. For example, 'The detailed instructions were "terribly helpful" in assembling the furniture'.

What are some alternatives to "terribly helpful"?

Alternatives include "extremely beneficial", "incredibly useful", or "remarkably supportive depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "terribly helpful" in formal writing?

While "terribly helpful" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "exceptionally advantageous" or "highly valuable" in strictly formal contexts such as academic papers or official reports.

What's the difference between "terribly helpful" and "very helpful"?

"Terribly helpful" implies a greater degree of helpfulness than "very helpful". "Terribly" intensifies the adjective, suggesting something was exceedingly useful. However, the effect can be subtle and depend on the context and tone.