terribly young

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly young" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize someone's youth, often in a context where their age is surprising or noteworthy. Example: "She was terribly young to be taking on such a significant role in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The congregation is "terribly young.

The New York Times

They look terribly young, their faces heavy with make-up.

Independent

"He looks terribly young and inexperienced and stiff.

The Guardian

But to do that, I would have to be terribly young again myself.

The New York Times

"They were terribly young, those air men, young and eager," she wrote in "20 Hrs.

The New Yorker

They were Russian and Sicilian, nearly all of them supporting distant families, nearly all of them terribly young.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Reindeerspotting," primarily a portrait of an effervescent, smart and terribly sad young addict and thief named Jani, puts us right in the room — and the toilet stall, and the stolen car, and the fleabag hotel.

The New York Times

Footballers are often terribly isolated young men, their lives an unceasing rotation of hotel rooms, luxury travel and abrasive male banter and, outside this, the gilded alienation of a media-managed existence.

The Guardian - Sport

Former colleagues recall an enormously clever, not terribly political young woman; when she left for the Bank of England - not the natural habitat of a classic activist - few predicted a political future.

The Guardian

Featuring four not terribly graceful young actors, the show finds a physical eloquence in a limited series of gestures, including crossing your arms and clasping your hands behind your head.

The New York Times

There was no formal announcement yesterday - a publicity launch is planned for next month - but word of the new venture leaked out as agents were contacted and asked to recommend their best, brightest and not terribly expensive young singers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terribly young" to add emphasis to the youthfulness of a subject, especially when it's surprising or impactful. It can add emotional weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly young" in overly casual or informal contexts, as the "terribly" can come across as too dramatic or out of place. Opt for a simpler "very young" or another suitable alternative depending on context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly young" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun. It emphasizes the degree of youthfulness, highlighting that the person or thing in question is exceptionally young. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terribly young" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize youthfulness. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase conveys a strong sense of youth, often implying surprise, concern, or impact due to someone's age. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to highlight situations where youth plays a significant role. While alternatives like "extremely young" or "remarkably young" exist, "terribly young" adds a distinct layer of emphasis that resonates across various contexts. When using it, writers should be mindful of maintaining a neutral tone and avoiding overuse in highly informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely young

A direct synonym, highlighting a high degree of youth.

exceedingly young

Emphasizes youth to a high degree, similar to "terribly young".

frightfully young

Suggests youth that is almost alarming or shocking.

awfully young

Conveys a sense of youth that might be problematic or concerning.

remarkably young

Highlights how youth is noteworthy or unexpected.

surprisingly young

Indicates youth that causes astonishment.

shockingly young

Suggests that the youthfulness is surprising and possibly inappropriate.

incredibly young

Emphasizes youth to an extreme degree.

exceptionally young

Stresses youth as being out of the ordinary.

very young

A more general way of expressing youth.

FAQs

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

You can use "terribly young" to emphasize the youthfulness of someone, often when it's surprising or has significant implications. For example, "She was "terribly young" to be leading such a complex project".

What's a good alternative to "terribly young"?

Alternatives include "extremely young", "remarkably young", or "surprisingly young", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative varies slightly in its emphasis.

Is "terribly young" formal or informal?

"Terribly young" leans towards a neutral register, fitting in news and media contexts. While not overtly formal, it is less common in very casual conversation. Consider your audience and context when choosing between "terribly young" and a more casual alternative like "very young".

What does "terribly young" emphasize compared to "very young"?

"Terribly young" adds a layer of emphasis and emotional weight that "very young" lacks. While "very young" simply states a fact, "terribly young" suggests that the youth is somehow significant, surprising, or even concerning. It's used to highlight the impact or implications of someone's youthfulness.