very bad

USAGE SUMMARY

"very bad" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to describe something as being of extremely poor quality or in a state of great disadvantage. It can also be used to express a strong negative feeling or opinion about something. Example: The movie was very bad. The acting was subpar, the plot was dull, and the special effects were unimpressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was very bad.

The New Yorker

Very bad ideas.

Independent

Very bad teacher.

The New York Times

"You look very bad".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's very bad.

The New York Times

It was very bad.

The New York Times

"A very bad guy".

The New York Times

Nothing very bad happens.

The Economist

Very bad form.

The Guardian

I'm feeling very bad.

The New Yorker

I'm being very bad".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very bad", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. While common, it can sometimes lack precision. Alternatives might offer a more descriptive and impactful expression.

Common error

Avoid relying on "very bad" as a default negative descriptor. Instead, explore more specific adjectives that capture the particular flaw or deficiency. For example, instead of a "very bad" decision, consider a "reckless" or "ill-advised" decision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "very bad" is to act as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by expressing a negative quality or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable part of a sentence. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe things of poor quality or negative situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very bad" is a commonly used adjective phrase to express a strong negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news to scientific writing. While widely accepted, consider using more specific and impactful alternatives to add nuance and precision to your writing. Common errors include overuse, where more descriptive adjectives could better capture the intended meaning. The phrase functions primarily to convey disapproval or dissatisfaction. Remember that while "very bad" is acceptable, a richer vocabulary enhances clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely awful

This alternative uses a different intensifier and synonym to convey the same extreme negativity.

utterly dreadful

This alternative uses a strong intensifier to emphasize the unpleasantness.

terribly wrong

This alternative emphasizes the incorrect or inappropriate nature of something.

particularly terrible

This alternative emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of something.

seriously flawed

This alternative focuses on the significant defects or imperfections present.

exceptionally poor

This alternative highlights the substandard quality or performance.

remarkably inferior

This alternative focuses on the substandard quality in comparison to others.

woefully inadequate

This alternative stresses the insufficient or deficient nature of something.

decidedly unfortunate

This alternative highlights the unfavorable or unlucky nature of something.

plainly unacceptable

This alternative focuses on the idea that something does not meet the required standards.

FAQs

How can I use "very bad" in a sentence?

You can use "very bad" to describe something of extremely poor quality or a negative situation. For example, "The weather today is very bad" or "The food at that restaurant was very bad".

What are some alternatives to "very bad"?

Alternatives to "very bad" include "extremely awful", "terribly wrong", or "seriously flawed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very bad"?

Yes, "very bad" is grammatically correct. It's a common construction using an adverb ("very") to intensify an adjective ("bad").

What is the difference between "very bad" and "extremely bad"?

Both "very bad" and "extremely bad" convey a high degree of negativity. "Extremely bad" might suggest a slightly higher intensity than "very bad", but the difference is often negligible.