very terrific

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very terrific" is not considered correct in standard English usage.
It is generally redundant since "terrific" already conveys a strong positive meaning, so adding "very" is unnecessary. Example: "The concert last night was very terrific, and everyone had a great time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And very terrific and odd women they are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There are some very terrific scenes, such as Robert and Cersei discussing their marriage, which doesn't exist in the book.

The Guardian - Books

"They certainly had a good quarter in a not very terrific environment," said Guy Moszkowski, an analyst at Salomon Smith Barney.

The New York Times

Buddy Holly is a very, very terrific man.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In fact, I would say that conscious uncoupling is kind of the opposite, because really terrific opera is very dramatic, and conscious uncoupling … GROSS: Is what?

The New Yorker

It is, very often, terrific – lush and quirky too.

The Guardian

He tries, too, to put the words "very" and "terrific" in the lyrics he writes for Miss Merman; no one, he says, can sing these words as she can.

The New Yorker

But he was also a terrific father — very, very supportive and nurturing — and I think he taught me a lot of values and valuable lessons that had nothing to do with architecture.

The New York Times

Jenny Bernstine said, "Ilka is being very gallant and terrific".

The New Yorker

It cost about $50 and it was a navy light wool suit, very plain, absolutely terrific.

The New York Times

Small, homey restaurant with wood-beamed ceiling and very good cooking; terrific sliced Iberian cured meats, fresh marinated anchovies, sopa de ajo (garlic soup), revuelto de ajetes con gambas (scrambled eggs with shrimp and garlic shoots); braised oxtail.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "very terrific" isn't strictly incorrect, consider that "terrific" already implies a high degree of excellence. Use it sparingly and consider alternatives like "extremely terrific" or simply relying on "terrific" for conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "very terrific" when the context already makes it clear something is exceptional. Redundancy can weaken your writing; choose stronger, more specific adjectives or rely on "terrific" alone for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very terrific" functions as an intensified adjective. It aims to emphasize the positive quality of something. However, Ludwig AI suggests this is somewhat redundant because "terrific" inherently conveys a high degree of excellence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very terrific" aims to express strong approval, but Ludwig AI indicates it is often considered redundant because "terrific" already conveys a high degree of excellence. Though not strictly incorrect, it's best used sparingly. Alternatives like "extremely terrific" or simply "terrific" often provide a more concise and impactful way to communicate the same sentiment. The phrase appears mainly in News & Media sources, suggesting a neutral register, yet careful consideration of context is advised to avoid weakening your writing through redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely terrific

Replaces "very" with "extremely", intensifying the adjective "terrific".

incredibly terrific

Similar to "extremely terrific", "incredibly" provides a higher degree of emphasis.

exceptionally terrific

"Exceptionally" suggests a deviation from the norm, highlighting the outstanding quality.

remarkably terrific

"Remarkably" emphasizes the noticeable and noteworthy nature of being terrific.

extraordinarily terrific

"Extraordinarily" signifies a quality beyond the ordinary, making it exceptionally good.

particularly terrific

"Particularly" specifies the degree of being terrific, focusing on specific instances or aspects.

decidedly terrific

"Decidedly" asserts the terrific nature with certainty, indicating a clear and definite quality.

outstandingly terrific

"Outstandingly" describes something that stands out from others in its terrific nature.

terrific indeed

This phrase adds emphasis and confirmation to the original adjective, reinforcing the positive sentiment.

truly terrific

"Truly" emphasizes the genuine and authentic quality of being terrific.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "very terrific"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "very terrific" is often considered redundant because "terrific" already implies a high degree of excellence. It's generally better to use alternatives or simply use "terrific" on its own.

What are some alternatives to saying "very terrific"?

Instead of "very terrific", you could say "extremely terrific", "incredibly terrific", or just use the word "terrific" by itself depending on the context.

How can I use "terrific" effectively in a sentence?

Use "terrific" to describe something that is exceptionally good, wonderful, or impressive. For instance, "The performance was terrific" or "She did a terrific job".

Is there a difference in meaning between "terrific" and "very terrific"?

Technically, "very terrific" is intended to intensify the meaning, but in practice, it's often seen as redundant. "Terrific" already conveys a strong positive meaning, so adding "very" doesn't significantly change the impact and may sound awkward.