this is so terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is so terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or disappointment about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the disaster, I couldn't help but think, this is so terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is so terrible?

The New Yorker

"This is so terrible," he said.

The New York Times

"This is so terrible," I said, in full cry.

The New Yorker

"If they haven't thought about it," Mr. Greenspun said, "once they get to the point of having found Mr. Muhammad guilty, they may say this is so terrible it's got to be death".

The New York Times

"This is so terrible to hear," Howard said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The air filled next with the sound of people proclaiming why this was so terrible for Te'o, with John Clayton writing on ESPN.com that speed is particularly crucial in today's complex defenses.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that is so terrible.

Huffington Post

"This protest is so terrible, they really are rude and overbearing.

The Guardian

Like the health-care decision, this one is so terrible that it might stir even some Republican judges to overturn it.

The New Yorker

And what did this agency do that was so terrible?

The Guardian

So for instance, you know this situation of aid is so terrible that in distributing, the way in which they're distributing the aid it's gone ahead and further violated the rights of the people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is so terrible" when you want to express a strong, immediate negative reaction to something. Ensure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Common error

Avoid using "this is so terrible" in professional or formal writing. Opt for more nuanced and less emotionally charged language like "this is highly unfortunate" or "this is deeply concerning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is so terrible" functions as an exclamatory statement, expressing a strong negative reaction or judgment about a situation. Ludwig AI examples show it being used to voice dismay, disappointment, or disapproval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is so terrible" is a phrase used to express a strong negative reaction, often conveying feelings of dismay or disappointment. While grammatically correct, it is most appropriate for informal settings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts, often in quoted speech. For formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "this is highly unfortunate" or "this is deeply concerning". The frequency of this phrase is uncommon, so consider more frequent alternatives for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is absolutely awful

Uses "absolutely awful" to intensify the negative feeling, providing a stronger expression of dismay.

this is utterly dreadful

Replaces "terrible" with "utterly dreadful", which conveys a sense of extreme unpleasantness or poor quality.

this is exceptionally bad

Uses "exceptionally bad" to highlight the severity of the situation, indicating it's worse than normal.

this is truly appalling

Employs "truly appalling" to emphasize the shocking and disturbing nature of the situation.

this is incredibly disappointing

Focuses on the disappointment caused by the situation, rather than its general terribleness.

this is simply unacceptable

Shifts the focus to the lack of acceptability of the situation, implying a need for change or correction.

this is quite regrettable

Uses "quite regrettable" to express sorrow or disappointment about the situation, often in a more formal tone.

this is highly unfortunate

Replaces "terrible" with "highly unfortunate", which is a more polite way of expressing regret about a negative situation.

this is deeply disturbing

Highlights the unsettling nature of the situation, emphasizing its potential to cause worry or anxiety.

this is extremely disheartening

Focuses on the loss of morale or enthusiasm caused by the situation, rather than its general negativity.

FAQs

How can I use "this is so terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "this is so terrible" to express strong disapproval or disappointment. For example, "After hearing the news about the layoffs, I thought, "this is so terrible".

What's a less dramatic alternative to "this is so terrible"?

If you want a less dramatic alternative, consider phrases like "this is unfortunate" or "this is disappointing", which convey disappointment without the same level of intensity.

Is "this is so terrible" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "this is so terrible" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better to use more professional alternatives such as "this is deeply concerning" or "this is highly regrettable".

What's the difference between "this is so terrible" and "this is awful"?

"This is so terrible" and "this is awful" are quite similar, but "this is so terrible" might convey a slightly stronger emotional response. Both are suitable for informal contexts.