utterly terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly terrible" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is extremely bad or unpleasant. Example: The food at the restaurant was utterly terrible. I couldn't even finish my meal. In this sentence, "utterly terrible" emphasizes just how bad the food was at the restaurant. It conveys a strong sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Every single contestant is utterly terrible.

The Guardian

He said: "Coming a single day after Christmas is utterly terrible for those communities.

Independent

Allan Hogarth, Amnesty's UK's head of policy and government affairs, said: "Saudi Arabia's human rights record is utterly terrible.

Independent

I've been utterly terrible at making predictions so far this year, so I might as well keep digging: New Jersey Washington Ottawa There.

The Guardian - Sport

There is some utterly terrible singing towards the beginning of Guido's mix — it may get better after that but the bad voice/bad Auto-Tuning stopped me in his tracks.

The New Yorker

We share many things and I have always believed in our brotherhood, which is why it hurts to see us fall hopelessly together into that element which Fitzgerald knew by heart: an utterly terrible grandness of delusion.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

William Butler Yeats immortalized it in verse, writing after the violence that "All changed, changed utterly:/A terrible beauty is born".

The New York Times

All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.

Huffington Post

He likes to quote a line from Yeats' Easter, 1916 about the Easter Rebellion in Ireland: "All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born".

Huffington Post

The poet William Butler Yeats once wrote: Now and in time to be, Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.

Huffington Post

Utterly awful.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly terrible" to emphasize extreme negativity or disapproval. It adds a strong emotional charge to your writing, making your opinion clear and impactful.

Common error

While "utterly terrible" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of its intensity in formal writing. Consider milder alternatives like "exceptionally poor" or "remarkably bad" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly terrible" functions as an intensifier + adjective. It modifies a noun or concept, adding emphasis to its negative qualities. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly terrible" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey strong negativity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media sources, used to emphasize the extent to which something is bad or unpleasant. While suitable for many contexts, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "exceptionally poor" in professional settings. Related phrases such as "absolutely awful" and "completely dreadful" offer similar levels of intensity, allowing for nuanced expression. When using "utterly terrible", remember its purpose: to make a powerful statement of disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely awful

Emphasizes the extremely unpleasant nature of something.

completely dreadful

Highlights the severe unpleasantness or poor quality.

thoroughly appalling

Suggests something is shocking and deeply unpleasant.

totally atrocious

Indicates something is shockingly bad or of very poor quality.

exceptionally bad

Focuses on the degree to which something fails to meet expectations.

remarkably poor

Highlights the noticeable deficiency in quality.

simply the worst

Expresses a definitive lack of quality or desirability.

unbelievably bad

Implies the situation is so poor it's hard to accept.

dreadfully bad

This alternative emphasizes a great degree of badness.

awful beyond words

Implies the situation is extremely negative to the point of being difficult to describe.

FAQs

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

Use "utterly terrible" to express a strong negative opinion. For example, "The movie was "utterly terrible"; I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

What are some alternatives to "utterly terrible"?

You can use alternatives such as "absolutely awful", "completely dreadful", or "thoroughly appalling" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "utterly terrible" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "utterly terrible" might be too strong for some formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "exceptionally poor" or "significantly inadequate" for a more professional tone.

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

"Utterly terrible" is a more emphatic and intense way of saying "very bad". It conveys a stronger sense of negativity and disapproval.