utterly mediocre

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly mediocre" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely average or unremarkable in quality or performance. Example: "The movie received mixed reviews, but I found it to be utterly mediocre and forgettable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Utterly mediocre".

Independent

It turns out that he was an utterly mediocre student.

The New York Times

It is a game at which addicts play even when the tokens are utterly mediocre.

The New York Times - Arts

Why do we expect organic wines to be superior when so many are utterly mediocre?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Matt The Premier League has a long tail of utterly mediocre identikit teams.

The Guardian - Sport

Last year's Meistertrainer has been severely frustrated by the lack of quality in this one-paced, utterly mediocre side.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The sad truth is thus: most music, most art, even, is completely, utterly, headfuckingly mediocre.

Vice

As for those who read last week's roundup, I did see the film that Sunday, and it's relatively mediocre but utterly harmless.

Huffington Post

The voice acting in games is often mediocre, but the acting within In Cold Blood is utterly professional.

The New York Times - Tech

Teachers mediocre?

The New York Times

Utterly glorious.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly mediocre" to express a strong sense of ordinariness or lack of distinction. Employ this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is not just average, but completely and thoroughly unexceptional. Consider your audience and the context, as this phrase can be perceived as somewhat harsh or critical.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly mediocre" in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or diplomatic critique is required. For instance, instead of saying a project was "utterly mediocre", opt for phrases like "did not fully meet expectations" or "requires further development" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly mediocre" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. "Utterly" intensifies the adjective "mediocre", indicating a complete lack of distinction or quality. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly mediocre" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express a strong negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, where it serves to criticize or express disappointment with something deemed completely unexceptional. While versatile, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure the criticism is appropriate and constructive. Alternative phrases like "completely average" or "totally unremarkable" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely average

Replaces 'utterly' with 'completely' and 'mediocre' with 'average', resulting in a more straightforward assessment.

downright ordinary

Uses 'downright' to intensify the 'ordinary' aspect, stressing a lack of special qualities.

totally unremarkable

Substitutes "utterly mediocre" with a phrase emphasizing the lack of distinguishing features.

thoroughly unexceptional

Uses "thoroughly" instead of "utterly", and "unexceptional" instead of "mediocre", both intensifying the ordinariness.

remarkably unimpressive

Focuses on the lack of a positive effect or impact.

entirely uninspired

Focuses on the lack of creativity or originality rather than general quality.

absolutely pedestrian

Emphasizes the common and uninspired nature of something, using a more sophisticated vocabulary.

distinctly forgettable

Highlights the quality of being easily forgotten due to a lack of impact or memorability.

plainly disappointing

Shifts the focus slightly to the feeling of letdown caused by the mediocrity.

decidedly second-rate

Indicates a clear categorization below the highest quality, focusing on ranking.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly mediocre" to describe something that is completely average or unremarkable. For example: "The performance was "utterly mediocre", failing to impress the audience."

What are some alternatives to saying "utterly mediocre"?

Alternatives include "completely average", "totally unremarkable", or "entirely uninspired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "utterly mediocre" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "utterly mediocre" might be considered too harsh for some formal contexts. Consider using more diplomatic alternatives like "did not meet expectations" or "requires further development".

What does "utterly" emphasize in the phrase "utterly mediocre"?

"Utterly" serves as an intensifier, emphasizing that something is not just mediocre but completely so. It heightens the degree of ordinariness or lack of distinction.