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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
which sucks
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'which sucks' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express disappointment or dissatisfaction about something. For example: I was hoping for a better outcome, but it didn't happen, which sucks.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
52 human-written examples
"Which sucks", says Michael Brunton-Spall.
News & Media
Which sucks, because I wanted it to be so good".
News & Media
Which sucks because I have three kids and I really liked that job.
News & Media
BUT does New York, which sucks up $40 million per year in beer, need another?
News & Media
A similar flow of 21-year-olds goes to London, which sucks in about a third of new graduates.
News & Media
Some shops use a vacuum system, which sucks the slag off the liquid steel and granulates it instantaneously.
Encyclopedias
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
8 human-written examples
Parody of the phenomenon, found in physics, of black holes, which suck in all existing light.
News & Media
That was a plastic tube which sucked copy round the building to the typesetters.
News & Media
The rest fueled a domestic boom, which sucked in imports and caused the peso to become increasingly overvalued.
News & Media
In the presence of SDS, hydrates grew mainly on the reactor walls as a porous structure, which sucked the solution due to capillary forces.
Science
Car sales, which sucked up a lot of consumer spending during the summer, did not continue their decline.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "which sucks" sparingly in formal writing. It's generally acceptable in informal contexts to express dissatisfaction or disappointment.
Common error
Avoid using "which sucks" in academic papers or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like "which is unfortunate" or "which is less than ideal" to maintain a formal tone.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "which sucks" functions as a relative clause providing additional, negative commentary on a preceding statement or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it expresses disappointment or dissatisfaction. Examples include: "I haven't received my mail for about one-and-a-half weeks now, which sucks..."
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Wiki
25%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "which sucks" is a grammatically sound and widely used relative clause to express disappointment or disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its aptness for conveying negative sentiment. While the phrase is versatile in informal contexts like casual conversation, its colloquial nature restricts its use in formal or professional settings. When a more professional or formal tone is required, alternative phrases like ""which is unfortunate"" or ""which is disappointing"" may be more appropriate.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
which is terrible
Replaces a less formal term with a more generally negative adjective.
which is awful
Substitutes "sucks" with a common synonym expressing strong dislike.
which is disappointing
Uses a more formal and descriptive word to express a negative outcome.
which is unfortunate
Replaces the informal expression with a more sophisticated term indicating bad luck or regret.
which is a shame
Expresses regret that something is not as it should be.
which is unpleasant
Uses a more neutral and polite term to describe something disagreeable.
which is regrettable
Replaces the informal expression with a more formal term expressing sorrow or remorse.
which is not ideal
Offers a more understated way to convey dissatisfaction or a less-than-perfect situation.
that's too bad
Switches from a relative clause to a standalone expression of sympathy or disappointment.
that's a pity
Offers a slightly old-fashioned expression of mild regret or disappointment.
FAQs
How can I use "which sucks" in a sentence?
You can use "which sucks" at the end of a clause to express disappointment or disapproval about something, for example: "I was really hoping for a promotion, but it didn't happen, "which sucks"."
What can I say instead of "which sucks" to sound more professional?
To sound more professional, you can use alternatives like "which is unfortunate", "which is disappointing", or "which is not ideal" depending on the context.
Is it appropriate to use "which sucks" in academic writing?
No, it is generally not appropriate to use "which sucks" in academic writing. More formal phrases like "which is suboptimal" or "which presents challenges" are better suited for academic contexts.
What's the difference between "which sucks" and "which is bad"?
"Which sucks" is a more informal and emphatic way of saying "which is bad". While both express a negative sentiment, "which sucks" carries a stronger connotation of disappointment or frustration.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested