utterly dreadful

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "utterly dreadful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that was extremely unpleasant or terrible. For example, "The movie was utterly dreadful; I didn't enjoy it at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We are corrupt and upper-class and utterly dreadful!

The Guardian - Sport

Paramore – Brick By Boring Brick Remember how utterly dreadful your adolescence was?

The Guardian - Music

Tim Farron, the Lib Dem president, told Sky News that Mitchell's remarks were "utterly, utterly dreadful".

The Guardian

Was the Cornwell story that of a brave young hero dying in utterly dreadful circumstances?

The Guardian

There will be accusations of sour grapes, but my honest opinion is that the film is utterly, UTTERLY dreadful.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The prospect of a telepathic Tinder, where our unedited thoughts are broadcast to prospective suitors, is utterly dreadful and not too far away.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Perfectly dreadful.

The New Yorker

It was dreadful, absolutely dreadful.

The Guardian

It was absolutely dreadful.

The New Yorker

Kentucky is absolutely dreadful.

The New York Times

It's absolutely dreadful!

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly dreadful" to express a strong negative evaluation when you want to emphasize the complete and total unpleasantness of something. For example, "The weather today is utterly dreadful."

Common error

Avoid using "utterly dreadful" in highly formal or professional writing where a more nuanced or objective assessment is required. Opt for phrases like "extremely unsatisfactory" or "significantly below expectations" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly dreadful" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to express a strong negative attribute. It intensifies the adjective "dreadful" with the adverb "utterly," indicating a complete or extreme degree of badness. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly dreadful" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that conveys a strong sense of negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively intensifies the adjective "dreadful", expressing complete and utter dislike or disapproval. While its frequency is classified as uncommon, it appears across reputable news and media sources like The Guardian and BBC, suggesting it's suitable for neutral registers but should be used cautiously in very formal settings. Alternatives like "absolutely awful" or "completely terrible" may suit different levels of formality or nuance. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its emphatic and somewhat informal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dreadfully bad

Similar in structure, replacing "utterly" with "dreadfully" maintaining comparable intensity.

awfully bad

Uses "awfully" as an intensifier, conveying a strong sense of negativity.

absolutely awful

Emphasizes the extremely negative quality, focusing on the feeling of awfulness.

completely terrible

Highlights the thoroughness of the badness, suggesting no redeeming qualities.

thoroughly unpleasant

Focuses on the disagreeable nature of something, perhaps in a more refined way.

exceptionally bad

Stresses that something is notably worse than average.

remarkably poor

Highlights the surprisingly low quality of something.

simply dreadful

Similar to plain dreadful, conveying a sense of obvious negativity.

plain dreadful

A slightly simpler way of expressing the same idea, less emphatic.

unmitigated disaster

Shifts from describing quality to describing the outcome or situation as a complete failure.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly dreadful" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly dreadful" to describe something exceptionally bad. For example, "The food at the restaurant was "utterly dreadful", and I wouldn't recommend it."

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly dreadful"?

Alternatives include "absolutely awful", "completely terrible", or "exceptionally bad", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "utterly dreadful" a formal or informal expression?

"Utterly dreadful" is generally considered a somewhat informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing. For highly formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives.

What makes something "utterly dreadful" as opposed to just "dreadful"?

The addition of "utterly" intensifies the meaning of "dreadful", emphasizing that something is completely and without exception terrible. It suggests a higher degree of negativity than simply "dreadful".