that sucks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sucks" is technically correct and can be used in written English in certain contexts.
For example, if a friend tells you they failed a test, you could respond with "Aww, that sucks." It is often used informally and should be avoided in formal contexts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

White Person 2: Oh shit, that sucks.

The New Yorker

And that sucks, doesn't it?

The Guardian

"Well, that sucks," Dawn said.

The New Yorker

"Well, that sucks," Sarah said, staring at her iPhone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Q: wow. that sucks….

TechCrunch

It's gone so fast and that sucks.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It represents companies that suck".

Forbes

You will have days that suck.

TechCrunch

Yes, there are creative jobs that suck.

Huffington Post

She says that … " "Sucks to your auntie," Jack snapped.

The New Yorker

I think that life sucks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sucks" in informal conversations to express empathy or disappointment. It's appropriate when reacting to someone's bad news or expressing frustration over a minor inconvenience.

Common error

Avoid using "that sucks" in professional emails, academic papers, or formal presentations. Opt for more polite and professional alternatives like "that's unfortunate" or "that's disappointing" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that sucks" is to serve as an interjection expressing a negative reaction or conveying empathy. As supported by Ludwig AI, it acknowledges an unpleasant situation with a tone of disappointment or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sucks" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express disappointment or empathy in informal settings. While its usage is common in casual conversations and media, it's best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "that's unfortunate" or "that's disappointing". Remember to tailor your language to the specific context and audience to maintain an appropriate tone. While perfectly correct in everyday conversation, its simplicity may not resonate in more serious situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a bummer

An informal expression of disappointment, similar in tone to "that sucks".

That's a drag

Informal, similar to "that sucks" but slightly milder.

That's awful

Emphasizes the severity of the situation, expressing stronger negative feeling.

That's terrible

Similar to "that's awful", indicating a strong negative reaction.

That's rough

Expresses sympathy and acknowledges the difficulty of the situation.

That's disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of letdown or unmet expectations.

That's no good

A simple and direct way to express disapproval or that something is not acceptable.

That's a shame

Expresses regret or sorrow about the situation.

That's a pity

Expresses sorrow or regret, often used in response to bad news.

That's unfortunate

A more formal way to express that something is not ideal.

FAQs

What does "that sucks" mean?

The phrase "that sucks" is an informal expression used to show empathy or express disappointment about an unfortunate situation. It's a way of saying that something is bad or unpleasant.

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

It's appropriate to use "that sucks" in casual conversations with friends, family, or close colleagues when acknowledging something negative or unfortunate. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings where a more polite expression is needed.

What are some alternatives to saying "that sucks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "that's unfortunate", "that's disappointing", "what a bummer", or "that's a shame" to convey a similar sentiment with varying degrees of formality.

Is "that sucks" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that sucks" is grammatically correct as a simple sentence. "That" is a pronoun, and "sucks" is a verb in the third-person singular present tense. While grammatically sound, its informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing.