terribly prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly prevalent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very common or widespread, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The misinformation about the vaccine is terribly prevalent on social media platforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps, however, wishful Walt did anticipate something terribly prevalent in the American character: our poignant desire to sound genteel, our sincere pursuit of stylish pronunciation, our flirtation with the fancy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Terribly, terribly sad.

Independent

Terribly, terribly wrong, Dr. Diehl.

The New York Times

Terribly exciting".

The Guardian

Terribly correct.

Independent

"Terribly bright".

Independent

Terribly unbanksmanly.

The New Yorker

It goes terribly, terribly wrong.

Independent

He was terribly, terribly ill.

The New Yorker

Terribly enthusiastic".

The New Yorker

Not terribly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "terribly prevalent", consider the context to ensure the intensity of "terribly" aligns with the intended message. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly prevalent" when "moderately common" or "somewhat frequent" would be more accurate. Exaggerating prevalence can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "terribly prevalent" is to act as an adverb-adjective modifier. The adverb "terribly" intensifies the adjective "prevalent", indicating a high degree of commonness or widespread occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly prevalent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something very common, especially with negative implications. Although it is relatively rare, Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Semantically related alternatives include "extremely common" and "horribly prevalent". Use this phrase judiciously, considering its intensity and potential for overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horribly prevalent

Synonymous replacement, where "horribly" emphasizes a negative prevalence.

extremely prevalent

"Extremely" replaces "terribly" to intensify the prevalence.

terribly common

"Common" is used instead of "prevalent" to denote frequency.

terribly dominant

"Dominant" replaces "prevalent" to suggest a position of control due to frequency.

really prevalent

"Really" is a less formal replacement for "terribly".

very prevalent

"Very" is used as a more neutral substitute for "terribly".

extraordinarily prevalent

"Extraordinarily" is used to denote an exceptional degree of prevalence.

terribly prominent

"Prominent" is used instead of "prevalent" to suggest noticeable frequency.

terribly popular

"Popular" replaces "prevalent" to indicate widespread liking or acceptance.

terribly current

"Current" replaces "prevalent" to highlight up-to-dateness.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly prevalent" to describe something that is very common, especially when it has negative or undesirable connotations. For example, "Misinformation is "rampant", or terribly prevalent, on social media."

What are some alternatives to "terribly prevalent"?

Alternatives include phrases like "extremely common", "very widespread", or "alarmingly frequent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "terribly prevalent" a formal or informal expression?

"Terribly prevalent" leans towards the formal side due to the use of "prevalent", but the intensifier "terribly" adds a somewhat dramatic tone. Consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase.

What is the difference between "terribly prevalent" and "incredibly prevalent"?

Both phrases indicate something is very common. "Terribly prevalent" can also carry a negative connotation, suggesting the prevalence is undesirable, whereas "incredibly prevalent" simply emphasizes the high degree of prevalence without necessarily implying a negative judgment.