too terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively bad or unpleasant. Example: "The weather was too terrible for us to go outside and enjoy the picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's just too terrible.

The Guardian

Poly Styrene too, terrible.

The Guardian

Hopefully, nothing too terrible happens.

The New York Times

It's too terrible for words".

The New York Times

That doesn't sound too terrible, does it?

Independent

"It's too terrible to reveal.

The Guardian

It sounds too, too terrible.

The Guardian - Books

Nothing too terrible, in my opinion.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's too terrible," Ms. Rodrigues said.

The New York Times

It's too soon, and Ramadi is too terrible.

The New Yorker

The details were too terrible to think about.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing highly sensitive or impactful events, use "too terrible" to effectively convey the gravity of the situation, ensuring the audience understands the severity without needing explicit details.

Common error

Avoid using "too terrible" in everyday situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly unpleasant; reserve it for scenarios involving genuine distress or horror to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too terrible" primarily functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun by emphasizing the extreme negative quality of something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too terrible" serves as an intensifying adjective phrase, predominantly used to express profound negativity or horror, particularly within News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations warranting genuine distress, as indicated by Ludwig's examples, and should not be overused in casual contexts. Alternatives like "excessively awful" or "utterly dreadful" can offer nuanced expressions. This phrase is a powerful tool for conveying the gravity of a situation, demanding careful consideration in its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively awful

Emphasizes the extreme degree of awfulness, providing a direct synonym.

utterly dreadful

Highlights the complete and absolute nature of the dreadfulness.

absolutely horrific

Focuses on the horror aspect of the situation, implying a severe and shocking experience.

simply unbearable

Conveys that something is beyond the limits of what can be tolerated.

tragically awful

Highlights the awful aspects, and implying the unfortunate circumstances.

exceptionally bad

Indicates a level of badness that is beyond the ordinary.

extremely unpleasant

Uses a more formal and less intense way of expressing a negative experience.

downright ghastly

Emphasizes the shocking and repulsive nature of something.

appallingly bad

Stresses the shocking and disturbing nature of the badness.

shockingly dreadful

Underlines the element of surprise and dismay caused by the dreadfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "too terrible" in a sentence?

You can use "too terrible" to describe events or situations that are extremely unpleasant or horrific. For example, "The details of the crime were "too terrible" to recount".

What are some alternatives to saying "too terrible"?

Alternatives include "excessively awful", "utterly dreadful", or "absolutely horrific", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "too terrible" in formal writing?

Yes, "too terrible" is appropriate in formal writing when describing appropriately serious or grave subjects. However, consider stronger or more precise synonyms if available, such as "tragically awful".

What's the difference between "too terrible" and "very bad"?

"Too terrible" implies a much higher degree of severity than "very bad". It suggests something is beyond a simple negative assessment and borders on being unbearable or horrific. "Very bad" is a more general, less intense expression.