ugly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ugly of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Example: "The painting was ugly of color choices, making it hard to appreciate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The news stared me down from my in-box through the starkest, most ugly of headers.

The New York Times - Books

Even his victories have been ugly; of his nine wins, only three have come in quality starts.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps tThe most ugly of all became, according to Santos, a "beautiful swan" with a solitary brilliant moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Gina Zippilli, The Inferno, Dallas: The story this week is probably how ugly of a win it was on Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

THE biggest steelmaker in Germany, ThyssenKrupp, has come to epitomise the good, the bad and in particular the ugly of Deutschland AG.

The Economist

"I don't want to get involved in others' celebrations because it would be ugly of me," Toni Nadal said in comments reported by the Spanish newspaper Marca.

The New York Times - Sports

Today I'm going to give it to you straight: the good, the bad, and the ugly of an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So before you get started, think carefully about the good, the bad and the ugly of being in business with a particular family member or friend.

The Guardian

The good, the bad and the ugly of lobbying are well known, but it's a stretch for a man with 25 years in Washington to demonize it.

The New York Times

Until the government (astonishingly Labour rejected calls for rate caps) impose caps, this most ugly of industries will continue to thrive.

The Guardian - Money

ID7499975 shared a picture [see left] of their latest read, which portrays "the good, the bad and the ugly of second-world-war Berlin".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "ugly of" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "ugly aspect of" or "negative side of" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The word "of" typically connects a noun to a preceding word. After an adjective like "ugly", it's more common to use prepositions like "in" or "about", depending on the intended meaning. For instance, it is better to say "ugly in appearance" or "ugly regarding its design".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ugly of" attempts to describe a quality or characteristic. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect and lacks clear meaning in standard English. The intended function is adjectival, but the structure is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ugly of" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting that it lacks clear meaning and is not a standard expression. Although examples can be found across diverse sources, including news and media, opting for grammatically sound alternatives such as "negative aspect of" or "unpleasant side of" will ensure greater clarity and professionalism. Prioritize using standard English to communicate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative aspect of

Directly points out the unfavorable element.

ugly aspect of

Focuses on a specific unpleasant feature.

unpleasant side of

Emphasizes the disagreeable nature of something.

unattractive feature of

Highlights an unaesthetic characteristic.

downside of

Highlights the negative consequences or disadvantages.

drawback of

Indicates a limitation or imperfection.

bad part of

Suggests the inferior component within a larger context.

repulsive quality of

Emphasizes the disgusting nature or element.

distasteful element of

Highlights an offensive or unpleasant aspect.

unseemly aspect of

Focuses on inappropriate or indecorous nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "ugly" correctly in a sentence?

Use "ugly" as an adjective to describe something unpleasant or unattractive. For example, "The building had an ugly facade". You can also use "ugly" with prepositions like "in" (e.g., "ugly in appearance") or "about" (e.g., "ugly about its ethics") depending on context.

What are some alternatives to "ugly of"?

Instead of "ugly of", consider using phrases like "negative aspect of", "unpleasant side of", or "drawback of" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication.

Is "ugly of" grammatically correct?

No, "ugly of" is generally not considered grammatically correct. It's better to use alternative constructions that provide better clarity and adhere to standard English grammar rules.

When is it appropriate to use the word "ugly"?

The word "ugly" is appropriate when describing something that is visually unappealing, morally objectionable, or otherwise unpleasant. Use it carefully, especially in sensitive contexts, to avoid causing offense.