told really bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told really bad" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used informally, but it lacks grammatical accuracy and clarity. Example: "He told the story really bad, and no one understood what happened."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

No-one could work out whether he was a comic genius or told really bad jokes.

BBC

They are cursed by the other kids, told really bad words… There were 1,700 [refugees] living in the area, but now there are no more than 500," a Syrian refugee in a suburb of 6 October City outside Cairo told Amnesty this month.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was there anything unusual about that day; you could say that a teacher was fired or, during math, the teacher told a really bad joke.

WikiHow

I'll tell you: really bad ratings.

Huffington Post

Recounting a conversation with Jhessye at a barbecue in April, one relative, Mahogany Hightower, told The Arizona Republic: "She cried really bad, telling us she wanted us to take her home.

The New York Times

Your at the hospital Fear "What if they tell me something really bad" Love Whatt ever it is I will get through it".

Huffington Post

"I tricked him into telling me that he was cheating on me," the 42-year old actress told E!, "He told me, and I felt really bad about it, and he felt really guilty, so he bought me a bunch of presents".

Huffington Post

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

The New Yorker

He went to the doctor again and told him: "This is really bad.

Independent

"It's not easy some days," she told GMB. "I have really bad days but obviously everyone around me – and even people who I don't know – support me so much I don't want to let anyone down.

The Guardian

The mischievous Barris, who died this month at the age of eighty-seven, once told Salon that "a really bad review means the show will be on for years"; a Times obituary noted that some of Barris's more notorious inventions, such as "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game," stuck around for decades.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the quality of someone's communication, consider using more precise adverbs like "poorly", "ineffectively", or "badly" instead of the phrase "told really bad". This provides clarity and enhances the professionalism of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "really" as an intensifier with adverbs when more formal or precise language is appropriate. In academic or professional contexts, replace "told really bad" with alternatives like "narrated poorly" or "communicated ineffectively" for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told really bad" functions as a descriptor of the manner in which something was communicated. According to Ludwig, this construction is not correct in standard written English, advising instead options like "told very poorly" or "narrated badly".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told really bad" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English and is better replaced with options like "told poorly" or "narrated badly". Ludwig highlights that while it might appear in informal contexts, it lacks grammatical accuracy and clarity. The usage analysis shows it appears rarely, mainly in news and media sources, but its lack of grammatical correctness impacts its reliability. When writing, strive for more precise and formal alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrated poorly

Emphasizes the ineffective way a story or event was recounted.

communicated ineffectively

Focuses on the lack of clarity or success in conveying a message.

expressed terribly

Highlights the poor quality of conveying feelings or thoughts.

related badly

Describes the poor manner in which information was shared.

conveyed poorly

Focuses on the unsuccessful transmission of a message or information.

articulated inadequately

Highlights the lack of skill in expressing something clearly.

shared terribly

Emphasizes the negative impact of how something was communicated.

presented badly

Focuses on the unappealing or ineffective way information was presented.

explained poorly

Highlights the lack of clarity or understanding in an explanation.

described inadequately

Focuses on the insufficient detail or clarity in a description.

FAQs

Is "told really bad" grammatically correct?

The phrase "told really bad" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use adverbs like "poorly" or "badly" instead. For example, use "told poorly" or "told badly".

What are some alternatives to "told really bad"?

Alternatives to "told really bad" include "narrated poorly", "communicated ineffectively", or "expressed terribly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I improve my writing to avoid using phrases like "told really bad"?

To improve your writing, focus on using more precise language. Replace informal phrases with more formal adverbs or adjectives. For instance, instead of saying someone "explained really bad", say they "explained poorly".

When is it acceptable to use "told really bad"?

While generally not recommended for formal writing, "told really bad" might be acceptable in very informal or colloquial contexts, where grammatical precision is less important. However, for clarity and professionalism, it's best to opt for alternatives.