terribly small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the smallness of an object or concept, often conveying a sense of disappointment or surprise at its size. Example: "The package arrived, and to my dismay, it was terribly small for the price I paid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But the dealing is terribly small.

The New York Times

It seemed terribly small and old.

The New Yorker

At a time when the challenges are so big, this conference season made British politics seem terribly small.

The Guardian - Opinion

At Pomona College (my alma mater) this spring, 16 students graduated with an English major out of a student body of 1,560, a terribly small number.

The New York Times

It's just terribly small and Bond would only have room for one bag - forget about planning a romantic week away for two.

Independent

The dilemma is that small trucks are no longer terribly small, in some cases overlapping full-size trucks in fuel economy, size and price.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Dunne plays Theodora Lynn, a terribly proper small-town Connecticut Sunday school teacher who has written a scandalous novel under a pen name.

The New York Times

In particular, it is under pressure to collaborate—something it is not always terribly good at.A small illustration of this is the experience of Richard Garriott.

The Economist

Self-assured, energetic and, at last, happy, she made her formal debut into society as a stimulating conversationalist, albeit one not terribly interested in small talk, and a graceful dancer.

The New York Times

This naturally makes it terribly difficult for smaller films to find an audience.

The Economist

Among other things, the production feels terribly constrained by the small stage and a small budget, more of which was evidently used for costumes than a set, which consists of a saloon-like room with a slender balcony running along the rear wall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly small" to emphasize the diminutive nature of something, often when the small size is surprising or has negative implications. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of disappointment or inadequacy regarding size.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly small" too frequently in your writing. While it effectively conveys emphasis, overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for synonyms like "extremely small" or "incredibly tiny" to maintain variety and reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly small" functions as an adjectival phrase. According to Ludwig, it modifies a noun to describe its size with emphasis. The adverb "terribly" intensifies the adjective "small".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terribly small" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to emphasize the diminutive size of something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, where it conveys a sense of disappointment or surprise at the size. To enhance writing variety, consider alternatives such as "extremely small" or "incredibly tiny". Be mindful of overuse to prevent diminishing its impact. "Terribly small" is a valuable phrase for adding emphasis and nuance to descriptions of size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely small

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", intensifying the smallness.

very tiny

Substitutes both words for synonyms, maintaining a similar level of emphasis.

incredibly small

Replaces "terribly" with "incredibly", which also emphasizes the degree of smallness.

remarkably small

Uses "remarkably" to highlight the surprising nature of the small size.

exceptionally small

Indicates that the size is an exception.

minuscule

Uses a single word to denote extreme smallness.

infinitesimally small

Emphasizes how close to nothing the size is.

pathetically small

Adds a sense of inadequacy to the description of smallness.

woefully small

Implies that the small size is disappointing or unfortunate.

surprisingly small

Highlights the unexpected nature of the small size.

FAQs

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

The phrase "terribly small" is used to emphasize the diminutive size of something. For example, "The portion size was "terribly small", especially considering the price."

What are some alternatives to "terribly small"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "terribly small"?

Yes, "terribly small" is grammatically correct. "Terribly" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "small", emphasizing its meaning.

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

"Terribly small" implies a greater degree of smallness than "very small". "Terribly" adds a stronger emphasis, suggesting that the smallness is significant or surprising in some way.