terribly impressive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly impressive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong admiration or awe for something that is both impressive and perhaps unexpectedly so. Example: "The artist's ability to capture emotion in her paintings is terribly impressive, leaving viewers in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Not terribly impressive," Dr. Olsen said.

The New York Times

That's not terribly impressive, is it?

The Guardian

The Capitals' regulation record is not terribly impressive for a first-place team.

The New York Times - Sports

The biggest one is that neither team has looked terribly impressive, even during big winning streaks.

The New York Times - Sports

Niemi, the Finnish goalie who was not terribly impressive for the Chicago Blackhawks when they won the Cup last year, excelled for San Jose on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite some notable successes and much-needed changes, even the most favorably inclined observer would have to acknowledge that Dodd-Frank hasn't done a terribly impressive job.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

" It annoys people terribly.

WikiHow

And Michael D. Tobman, a consultant not affiliated with any of the mayoral campaigns, offered a cautionary analysis, saying: "That it happens at this early stage is impressive, but not terribly significant.

The New York Times

One girl who is not terribly talkative or outgoing tried to speak, but couldn't stop crying; the fact that she even tried was pretty impressive.

Huffington Post

Terribly, terribly sad.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly impressive" to express a sense of admiration that is tinged with surprise or a slight degree of understatement. It's suitable when you want to convey that something is more impressive than initially expected.

Common error

While "terribly" can add emphasis, avoid using it excessively, as it can diminish the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, consider using alternatives like "extremely impressive" or "remarkably impressive" to maintain variety and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly impressive" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by ascribing a quality of being remarkably or surprisingly impressive. Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used to express strong admiration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly impressive" is a commonly used adjectival phrase to express a high level of admiration and surprise. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "extremely impressive" or "remarkably impressive" exist, "terribly impressive" offers a unique nuance of understated yet strong approval. Be mindful of overusing "terribly" for emphasis, and consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely impressive

Emphasizes a high degree of impressiveness, similar to "terribly impressive" but perhaps more straightforward.

remarkably impressive

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy nature of the impressiveness.

exceptionally impressive

Indicates that the level of impressiveness is beyond the norm or expectation.

unusually impressive

Stresses that the level of impressiveness is not typical or common.

incredibly impressive

Implies a level of impressiveness that is hard to believe or imagine.

extraordinarily impressive

Suggests a level of impressiveness that goes beyond the ordinary.

particularly impressive

Focuses on the specific aspect or feature that is noteworthy.

distinctly impressive

Highlights the clear and noticeable nature of the impressiveness.

awfully impressive

Similar to "terribly", it intensifies the impressiveness but can sound slightly dated.

genuinely impressive

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the impressiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly impressive" to describe something that exceeds expectations in a positive way. For example, "The artist's skill was "terribly impressive", especially considering their young age."

What are some alternatives to saying "terribly impressive"?

Alternatives include "extremely impressive", "remarkably impressive", or "incredibly impressive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "terribly impressive" formal or informal?

While "terribly impressive" is generally acceptable in most contexts, it leans slightly towards the informal side due to the use of "terribly" as an intensifier. In very formal settings, consider using "exceptionally impressive" or "remarkably impressive" instead.

What makes something "terribly impressive" versus just "impressive"?

The addition of "terribly" suggests a higher degree of admiration or surprise. It implies that something is not just impressive, but unexpectedly or exceptionally so. It adds a touch of emphasis to the overall positive assessment.