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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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this is really bad

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is really bad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion or assessment about a situation, event, or object. Example: "After reviewing the report, I have to say that this is really bad for our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Phil Izzo at Real Time Economics notes that entrepreneurs had an awful time of things last year:This is really bad news as small businesses are big time job creators.

News & Media

The Economist

"This is really bad".

"I thought: 'This is really bad.

"This is really bad," I said to my girlfriend.

News & Media

The New York Times

This is really bad for everyone's health, especially the children's.

"And I was like, this is really bad".

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This was really bad economics.

News & Media

The New York Times

This was really bad tomato soup.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The number of them told me this was really bad".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Did you ever think "this service can be really improved", or "this product is really bad"?

** This one is really bad.

News & Media

The New Yorker
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is really bad" when you want to express a strong negative reaction or assessment of a situation. Consider the context to ensure the intensity of the phrase matches the severity of the issue.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "this is really bad" as it can sound repetitive and uninspired. Vary your language by using more descriptive and nuanced expressions to convey the severity of the issue.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is really bad" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative judgment or assessment of a situation, object, or event. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used to convey disapproval or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is really bad" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong negative opinion or assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news articles to casual conversations, but it's essential to consider the formality of the situation. For more formal settings, consider alternative phrases to convey disapproval or concern in a more nuanced way. While very common, avoiding overuse will make your writing more impactful.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "this is really bad"?

You can use alternatives like "this is seriously concerning", "this is highly problematic", or "this is extremely worrying" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "this is really bad" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this is really bad" may sound too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

How can I make the phrase "this is really bad" sound less harsh?

To soften the impact, you can add a qualifier such as "this is really bad, unfortunately" or "this is really bad, in my opinion". Adjusting your tone and adding context can also help.

What does it mean when someone says "this is really bad"?

The phrase "this is really bad" expresses a strong negative sentiment or assessment. It indicates that something is significantly undesirable, concerning, or problematic.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: