that sucked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sucked" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with a situation or experience. Example: "The movie was so boring; that sucked." Alternative expressions include "that was terrible" and "that was disappointing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Did you personally know any of them?" "Yeah, that sucked in Afghanistan," Wayne responded.

The New Yorker

The insatiable job market that sucked them in is beginning to tire.

The Economist

But the drama that sucked me in eventually spat me out.

The Guardian - Music

Ideally, he added, the town would never have developed "this massive office corridor that sucked the life out of Hartford.

The New York Times

Ill-planned privatisations in the 1990s spawned an oligarchic class that sucked up most of the country's wealth for itself.

The Economist

Three dozen men creating a vortex, a flesh whirlpool, that sucked you in and around and out again.

The New Yorker

"It was like a giant black hole that sucked the life out of the businesses around it," she added.

The New York Times

"It's the city that sucked in this kid Barack Obama and made it his home," Michelle Obama told me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Q: wow. that sucks….

TechCrunch

Jeez, that sucks huh?

Vice

This creates a force that sucks gas into the alveoli.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sucked" in informal contexts to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with something that happened. It's generally understood and accepted in casual conversation.

Common error

While "that sucked" is acceptable in informal settings, avoid using it in professional or formal communication where a more polite or constructive expression would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sucked" functions as a subject-verb construction where "that" refers to a previously mentioned event or situation, and "sucked" acts as the verb, expressing a negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirm, the phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sucked" is a grammatically correct but informal phrase used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is common in casual settings, particularly in News & Media. While acceptable in informal conversations, it should be avoided in formal or professional contexts where more polite alternatives are preferable. Related phrases include "that was awful" and "that was disappointing". When writing, consider the audience and the desired tone before using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was awful

Replaces "sucked" with a more general term for something unpleasant.

that was terrible

Similar to "that was awful", but with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

that was disappointing

Focuses on the unmet expectations rather than the unpleasantness.

that was no good

A more colloquial and straightforward way of expressing disapproval.

that was a bummer

An informal way of saying something was disappointing or unfortunate.

that was unpleasant

A more formal way to express that something was not enjoyable.

that was a letdown

Uses a noun to describe the disappointing experience.

that didn't meet my expectations

Explicitly states the failure to meet expectations.

that left a lot to be desired

Implies that something was lacking or inadequate.

that was substandard

Implies that something was of lower quality than expected.

FAQs

What does "that sucked" mean?

The phrase "that sucked" is an informal way of saying that something was bad, unpleasant, disappointing, or undesirable. It's a common expression of dissatisfaction.

What can I say instead of "that sucked" in a formal setting?

In more formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "that was disappointing", "that was not ideal", or "that was unfortunate". These options are more professional and less likely to offend.

Is "that sucked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that sucked" is grammatically correct, but it is considered informal. The word "sucked" is used here as a verb in the past tense to describe the quality of something.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that sucked"?

It's appropriate to use "that sucked" in casual conversations with friends, family, or acquaintances where informal language is acceptable. Avoid using it in professional emails, presentations, or formal discussions.