this is awful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is awful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or disappointment about a situation, event, or object. Example: "After watching the movie, I have to say, this is awful; I expected much more from the director."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

France has had to bear more than what any country should be expected to over the course of this year, so this is awful beyond words".

The Guardian

This is awful!

The New York Times

VLADIMIR: This is awful.

The New Yorker

This is awful," Fletcher said.

The New York Times - Sports

80 min: This is awful.

The Guardian - Sport

Oh God, this is awful.

The Guardian - Books

Good God, this is awful news!

The Guardian

Judged by the usual standards of policy, this is awful.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Oh my God, this is awful," she says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"This is awful," her father told her. "Dan, Melaniee said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a cry for humanity …this is awful … I feel bad for these girls that live like this and somehow this passes for love.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “this is awful”, follow up with specific reasons why you find something awful. This provides context and demonstrates a clear understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "this is awful" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and less emotionally charged language, such as "this is problematic" or "this is concerning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is awful" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective negative judgment. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It is often used to voice disapproval or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is awful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey strong disapproval or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used in news and media, while less common in formal or academic writing. When you want to sound more formal, it's preferable to use more neutral alternatives such as "this is concerning" or "this is problematic". Keep in mind that context matters, and the emotional charge of "this is awful" is most appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This is terrible

Expresses a similar level of disapproval or negativity but is a more common and general term.

This is dreadful

Indicates a high degree of unpleasantness or shock, slightly more formal than "this is awful".

This is appalling

Suggests something is shockingly bad or horrific, emphasizing the scale of the problem.

This is horrendous

Emphasizes the shocking or terrible nature of something, similar in intensity to 'appalling'.

This is atrocious

Highlights the unacceptably poor or wicked nature of something, stronger and more formal.

This is unbearable

Focuses on the inability to tolerate or endure a situation, shifting the emphasis to personal experience.

This is unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet required standards or expectations, highlighting a breach of norms.

This is simply the worst

An emphatic way of saying something is extremely bad, often used in informal contexts.

This is quite bad

A more understated way of expressing disappointment or disapproval, suitable for polite conversation.

I can't believe this is happening

Expresses disbelief and dismay at the unfolding of an event, highlighting personal reaction.

FAQs

What does "this is awful" mean?

The phrase "this is awful" expresses a strong feeling of disapproval, disappointment, or dismay about something. It indicates that something is extremely bad or unpleasant.

When is it appropriate to use "this is awful"?

It's appropriate to use "this is awful" in informal settings when you want to express a negative reaction to something. However, in more formal contexts, it's better to use more professional language.

What can I say instead of "this is awful"?

You can use alternatives like "this is terrible", "this is dreadful", or "this is unacceptable" depending on the context.

How to make the expression "this is awful" sound more formal?

To sound more formal, replace "this is awful" with phrases like "this is deeply concerning", "this is highly problematic", or "this situation is quite dire".