that's awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that's awful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disapproval or sympathy regarding a negative situation or event. Example: "I just heard about the accident on the highway, and that's awful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Oh God, that's awful.

The Guardian

She tweeted "god that's awful!

Independent

"I'm really, really sorry I caused any offence, that's awful.

Independent

"We take something that's awful and make it fun".

The New York Times - Arts

"Herb, that's awful," Laura said, and laughed until her eyes welled.

The New Yorker

Don't read it and go: "Oh dear, oh that's awful" before you've read it out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's taking something that's awful and turning it into something beautiful," she said.

The New York Times

I'd do it, and then nine times out of 10, I'd go: "Urgh that's awful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then he began murmuring directions, while onstage, to other cast members: "Is that what you're doing?," "God, that's awful," and worse.

The New Yorker

5.09pm BST 7 min Oh that's awful, Goode scuffs his clearance and Drew Mitchell collects it on the bounce 35m out on the right touchline.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

— Catherine Henry A. That's awful, and having once sold a house at a big loss, I know how you feel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering support, follow "that's awful" with a question or statement that shows you care and are willing to listen.

Common error

Avoid overusing "that's awful" in conversations. Vary your responses with other expressions of sympathy or concern to keep the conversation engaging and sincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's awful" primarily functions as an interjection or exclamatory expression. Ludwig AI confirms its use for expressing sympathy, disapproval, or dismay in response to negative information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's awful" is a versatile phrase used to express negative sentiments such as sympathy, disapproval, or shock. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and its common usage across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives in professional settings and avoid overuse in casual conversations. The phrase has several close synonyms like "that's terrible" or "that's unfortunate". According to Ludwig, the expression is fit for use in any circumstance and can be considered a reliable idiom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's terrible

This alternative is a direct synonym expressing a similar level of negativity.

that's dreadful

This alternative conveys a sense of intense unpleasantness or shock.

that's appalling

This alternative emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable nature of something.

that's unfortunate

This alternative downplays the negativity slightly, focusing on bad luck or circumstance.

that's regrettable

This alternative suggests a sense of sorrow or disappointment about something.

that's a shame

This alternative indicates a feeling of sadness or disappointment about a situation.

that's too bad

This alternative is a more casual expression of sympathy or disappointment.

how terrible

This alternative is phrased as an exclamation, directly expressing the speaker's dismay.

that's disheartening

This alternative focuses on the feeling of discouragement or loss of hope.

that's upsetting

This alternative highlights the emotional distress caused by the situation.

FAQs

What does "that's awful" mean?

"That's awful" is a common expression used to show sympathy, disapproval, or shock when hearing about something negative or unpleasant.

What can I say instead of "that's awful"?

You can use alternatives like "that's terrible", "that's dreadful", or "that's unfortunate" depending on the context.

Is "that's awful" appropriate in formal settings?

While generally acceptable, "that's awful" might be too informal for some formal settings. Consider using more professional alternatives like "that's regrettable" or expressing specific concerns about the situation.

How to use "that's awful" in a sentence?

You can use "that's awful" to respond to bad news, for example: "I heard about the factory closure, "that's awful"!" or "She lost her job? Oh no, "that's awful"!"