terribly narrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly narrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very limited in width or scope, often conveying a sense of severity or intensity. Example: "The path through the forest was terribly narrow, making it difficult for two people to walk side by side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And, just like that, my sense of loss suddenly revealed itself as terribly narrow.

The New Yorker

A chief terror of higher education for a lot of students isn't the exams, or the term papers, or even the terribly narrow but weirdly long bunk beds.

The New Yorker

His men operate along a terribly narrow track, squeezed on one side by patriarchal expectation and on the other by female competition.

The New Yorker

The order of business allowed spontaneity terribly narrow grooves to rattle in and seemed calculated mainly to avoid the occurrence of anything untoward, anything substantially unforeseen or even unforeseeable.

The New Yorker

In spite of his erratic behavior & unreasonable financial & personal demands during the match, he has made world headlines & popular features of a totally abstract, esoteric, terribly narrow cerebral hobby; he has generated a chess fever across the U.S. Tells about his background & some of his games.

The New Yorker

After arriving at Khotan, an oasis centre for caravans, he defied the terrors of snow during his crossing of the Pamirs; the mountain path was terribly narrow and steep: The path was difficult and rocky and ran along a cliff extremely steep.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He worries that it won't be long before we graduate from the narrow (and not terribly smart) AI we have today to a more generalized AI.

TechCrunch

And although his garden is terribly long and, of course, beautifully tended, it is basically a narrow strip running very steeply uphill behind the house and partly overlooked by neighbours on either side.

The Guardian - Books

The philosopher who could not speak his philosophy lived on a narrow unpaved street in a humble house with small windows and was terribly oppressed by the absence of light.

The New Yorker

Brooklyn, where no one is terribly impressed by the legend that a construction worker fell off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and disappeared into its wet concrete.

The New York Times - Arts

As the story narrows into an increasingly desperate cat-and-mouse game played by Robert and Jorgen following a lethal accident, "Terribly Happy" becomes an allegory of human frailty and corruption, of loneliness and the need to belong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly narrow" to emphasize a severe limitation or restriction, often where the impact is surprisingly or distressingly significant.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly narrow" in overly casual conversations. While grammatically correct, its intensity can feel out of place in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "very limited" or "quite tight" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly narrow" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "narrow". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It serves to emphasize a significant limitation in width or scope.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly narrow" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to emphasize a severe restriction or limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and readily usable. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound and usable, it is often seen in a neutral tone, making it appropriate for professional contexts. When writing, use "terribly narrow" to highlight significant limitations, but consider alternatives such as "extremely limited" in more casual scenarios. Note that while not frequent, this expression will add a shade of intensity to descriptions needing to sound serious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely limited

Emphasizes the constraint or boundary more strongly than "terribly narrow".

severely restricted

Highlights the strictness of the limitation, altering the focus from width to constraint.

highly confined

Focuses on the sense of being enclosed or restricted within a small space.

very tight

Emphasizes the lack of space or flexibility, similar to narrowness.

remarkably slim

Emphasizes thinness or lack of breadth in a notable way.

intensely limited

Focuses on the intensity of the limitation, rather than the physical narrowness.

exceptionally constricted

Highlights the state of being squeezed or compressed.

painfully restrictive

Adds a sense of discomfort or difficulty caused by the narrowness.

uncomfortably close

Indicates a lack of space that causes unease.

exceedingly confined

Stresses the extreme degree to which something is limited or restricted.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly narrow" to describe something with a significant limitation in scope or width. For example, "His perspective on the issue was "terribly narrow", preventing him from seeing the bigger picture."

What phrases are similar to "terribly narrow"?

Alternatives include "extremely limited", "severely restricted", or "highly confined", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "terribly narrow" formal or informal?

"Terribly narrow" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communications where precise and impactful language is valued. In overly casual settings, consider more relaxed alternatives.

Can "terribly narrow" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "terribly narrow" can effectively describe abstract concepts like viewpoints, perspectives, or opportunities. It emphasizes a severe limitation in the scope or breadth of the concept. For example, "The company's vision for the future was "terribly narrow", missing several key market trends".