terribly miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a state of extreme unhappiness or discomfort. Example: "After losing his job and going through a breakup, he felt terribly miserable for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His job was to buoy up the audience into a frenzy of excitement, and he did have an upbeat voice, but the things he said were terribly miserable.

The Guardian

"I read The Country Girls and its sequels in my early teens," wrote another, "and being an English C of E-raised girl, had assumed that all Catholics were terribly miserable and repressed - so was surprised and delighted by the joie de vivre I found in the books - and how explicit they were".

The Guardian - Books

An eating disorder is so terribly miserable, I would not even wish it on my worst enemy's cousin's tarantula (and I'm arachnophobic).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sadly the present is so terribly, agonizingly miserable.

Huffington Post

It's true, I ran away from camp, missed my parents terribly and made their lives miserable while I was gone.

Huffington Post

Anyone who reads this book will feel terribly sad about the boy's miserable life and angry that a human being could be treated like he was.

The Guardian

A Silicon Valley tech CEO who sparked outrage for threatening to aggressively harass low-income fruit vendors and "make their life miserable" now says he is "terribly sorry" – with an apology that continues to defend his position.

The Guardian

Terribly, terribly sad.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

Or miserable.

The New York Times

Terribly exciting".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly miserable" to emphasize a feeling of extreme unhappiness, especially when describing someone's emotional state or a particularly unpleasant situation.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly miserable" excessively in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic or theatrical in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very sad" or "unhappy" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly miserable" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "terribly" intensifies the adjective "miserable". According to Ludwig AI, this intensifier usage is correct and enhances the emotional weight of the description. It serves to vividly portray a state of extreme unhappiness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly miserable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a profound sense of unhappiness or discomfort. According to Ludwig AI, its function is to intensify the feeling of being miserable. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it's important to avoid overuse in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "extremely unhappy" or "utterly miserable" for variety. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and register, you can use "terribly miserable" effectively in your writing to express strong emotions and vivid descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely unhappy

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", maintaining the emphasis on the degree of unhappiness.

deeply unhappy

Uses "deeply" instead of "terribly" to indicate the intensity of unhappiness.

utterly miserable

Employs "utterly" as a stronger adverb to intensify the feeling of being miserable.

incredibly sad

Substitutes "miserable" with "sad" while retaining the emphasis on intensity through "incredibly".

intensely unhappy

Uses "intensely" to highlight the strength of the feeling of unhappiness.

desperately sad

Replaces "miserable" with "sad", emphasizing desperation in feeling sad.

tragically unhappy

Indicates a profound sense of sorrow and misfortune, suggesting a more dramatic form of unhappiness.

woefully dejected

Replaces "miserable" with a synonym emphasizing dispiritedness and sorrow.

profoundly disappointed

Shifts the focus to disappointment as a cause of deep unhappiness.

bitterly sorrowful

Uses "bitterly" to highlight the painful and resentful nature of the sorrow.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "terribly miserable" in a sentence?

Use "terribly miserable" to emphasize a state of extreme unhappiness. For example, "After losing his job and going through a breakup, he felt "terribly miserable" for weeks."

What are some alternatives to saying "terribly miserable"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely unhappy", "deeply unhappy", or "utterly miserable" depending on the context.

Is "terribly miserable" considered formal or informal language?

"Terribly miserable" is suitable for both formal and informal writing but is more frequently found in descriptive or narrative contexts. Consider the audience and the tone you want to convey.

What is the difference between "terribly sad" and "terribly miserable"?

While both phrases convey unhappiness, "terribly sad" focuses more on sorrow or grief, whereas "terribly miserable" implies a broader state of discomfort, unhappiness, and possibly poor conditions.