Terrible vs Terribly: Fundamental Differences Of These Terms

Are you confused about when to use “terrible” and “terribly” in your writing? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings and uses. Let’s dive into the nuances of these words and clear up any confusion.

It’s important to note that both “terrible” and “terribly” can be proper words to use, depending on the context. However, “terrible” is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is extremely bad or unpleasant, while “terribly” is an adverb that describes how something is done or felt.

For example, “The weather today is terrible” means that the weather is very bad. On the other hand, “I feel terribly about what happened” means that you feel very bad about what happened.

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and provide examples to help you use them correctly in your writing.

Define Terrible

Terrible is an adjective that describes something extremely unpleasant, of low quality, or causing fear or dread. It can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from minor discomfort to severe suffering. When something is described as terrible, it often implies that it is undesirable or unwanted.

For example, a terrible headache is a severe and unpleasant pain in the head that can make it difficult to concentrate or perform daily tasks. A terrible movie is a film that is of low quality, poorly made, or uninteresting. A terrible mistake is an error that has serious consequences and can cause harm to oneself or others.

In general, the word terrible is used to describe negative experiences, emotions, or situations. It can also be used to emphasize the severity or intensity of something.

Define Terribly

Terribly is an adverb that is used to describe the manner in which something is done or experienced. It is often used to describe something that is done in a very bad or unpleasant way.

For example, if someone says they feel terribly, they mean that they feel very bad or unwell. If someone performs a task terribly, it means they did a very poor job of it. If someone is treated terribly, it means they were treated in a cruel or unfair manner.

The word terribly can also be used to emphasize the degree or intensity of something. For instance, if someone is terribly excited, it means they are extremely enthusiastic or thrilled about something. If someone is terribly upset, it means they are deeply distressed or disturbed.

Overall, the adverb terribly is used to describe negative experiences or emotions in a way that emphasizes their severity or intensity.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the right words in the right context is crucial. Choosing between “terrible” and “terribly” can be confusing, but with a little guidance, you can master the art of using these words correctly.

How To Use “Terrible” In A Sentence

“Terrible” is an adjective that describes something that is of very poor quality or extremely unpleasant. It can also be used to describe something that is very serious or severe.

Here are some examples of how to use “terrible” in a sentence:

• The food at the restaurant was terrible.
• She had a terrible headache.
• It was a terrible accident.

It’s important to note that “terrible” is an adjective, which means it should be used to modify a noun or pronoun. For example, “terrible” can be used to describe a person, place, thing, or idea.

How To Use “Terribly” In A Sentence

“Terribly” is an adverb that is used to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It is often used to describe something that is done in a very bad or unpleasant way.

Here are some examples of how to use “terribly” in a sentence:

• She sings terribly.
• The weather was terribly cold.
• He failed his exam terribly.

As an adverb, “terribly” should be used to modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb. For example, “terribly” can be used to describe how someone is feeling, how something is done, or how something appears.

It’s important to note that “terribly” is often used in informal speech or writing and may not be appropriate for more formal situations.

More Examples Of Terrible & Terribly Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use the words “terrible” and “terribly” in sentences. By understanding how these words are used in context, you can improve your writing and communication skills.

Examples Of Using Terrible In A Sentence

• The weather was terrible yesterday, with heavy rain and strong winds.
• She had a terrible accident on the highway and was rushed to the hospital.
• The food at the restaurant was terrible, and we decided never to go back.
• He felt terrible after hearing the news of his friend’s death.
• The movie was terrible, and we walked out after the first 20 minutes.
• The company made a terrible mistake by not investing in new technology.
• She had a terrible headache and couldn’t concentrate on her work.
• The team had a terrible season and finished last in the league.
• He had a terrible fear of heights and couldn’t go near the edge of the cliff.
• Her singing was terrible, and the audience booed her off the stage.

Examples Of Using Terribly In A Sentence

• The children were terribly excited to go to the amusement park.
• He was terribly sorry for forgetting her birthday.
• The car was terribly damaged in the accident and had to be towed away.
• She was terribly nervous before her big presentation.
• The team played terribly in the first half, but they managed to turn things around in the second half.
• He was terribly disappointed when he didn’t get the job he applied for.
• The food at the restaurant was terribly expensive, and we couldn’t afford to eat there.
• She was terribly bored during the lecture and kept checking her phone.
• The company was terribly unorganized, and it showed in their poor performance.
• He was terribly in love with her, but she didn’t feel the same way.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “terrible” and “terribly,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should not be used in the same context. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Terribly” As An Adjective

One of the most common mistakes is using “terribly” as an adjective to describe something that is bad or unpleasant. For example, saying “I had a terribly day” is incorrect. The correct way to say it would be “I had a terrible day.” The word “terribly” is an adverb, which means it should be used to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Using “Terrible” To Mean “Very”

Another common mistake is using “terrible” to mean “very.” For example, saying “I’m terrible tired” is incorrect. The correct way to say it would be “I’m very tired.” The word “terrible” means extremely bad or unpleasant, so it should not be used to mean “very.”

Using “Terribly” To Mean “Extremely”

Similar to the previous mistake, using “terribly” to mean “extremely” is also incorrect. For example, saying “I’m terribly excited” is incorrect. The correct way to say it would be “I’m extremely excited.” Again, “terribly” is an adverb, which means it should be used to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Using “Terribly” In Place Of “Very”

Lastly, another common mistake is using “terribly” in place of “very” in formal writing. While it may seem like a sophisticated word to use, it can come across as pretentious or outdated. It’s best to stick with simpler language and avoid using “terribly” in this way.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid these common mistakes:

• Remember that “terribly” is an adverb and should be used to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Use “terrible” to mean extremely bad or unpleasant, not to mean “very.”
• Avoid using “terribly” in place of “very” in formal writing.
• Read your writing out loud to catch any mistakes or awkward phrasing.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words terrible and terribly can be a tricky task, as the context in which they are used can significantly impact their meaning. While both words are adjectives that describe something of poor quality or unpleasant nature, the choice between them depends on the sentence’s structure and the intended message.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between terrible and terribly might change:

Context	Example	Correct Usage
Adverbial Usage	The movie was terribly boring.	Terribly is used to modify the verb ‘boring’, indicating the degree of the action’s unpleasantness.
Adjectival Usage	The movie was terrible.	Terrible is used to describe the movie’s quality, indicating that it was of poor quality.
Comparative Usage	This movie is more terrible than the last one.	Terrible is used as a comparative adjective to describe the movie’s quality in comparison to the previous one.
Intensifier Usage	The pain was terribly intense.	Terribly is used as an intensifier to describe the degree of the pain’s intensity.

Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the context when choosing between terrible and terribly to ensure the correct usage and convey the intended meaning effectively.

Exceptions To The Rules

1. Intensifier Usage

Terribly is generally used as an adverb to describe something of poor quality or something that is causing distress. However, in some cases, it can be used as an intensifier to emphasize the degree of something. For example:

• The food was terribly expensive, but it was worth it.
• She was terribly excited to meet her favorite actor.

2. Colloquial Usage

Terrible and terribly can be used colloquially in certain situations where they do not follow the traditional rules of grammar. For instance:

• That movie was terrible good.
• The party was terribly fun.

While these usages may not be grammatically correct, they are commonly used in informal conversations.

3. Contextual Usage

The usage of terrible and terribly can also depend on the context in which they are used. For example:

Terrible	Terribly
He felt terrible after the accident.	He was terribly injured in the accident.
She had a terrible headache.	She felt terribly ill.

In these cases, terrible is used to describe a feeling or a state of being, while terribly is used to describe the degree or intensity of that feeling or state.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have learned the difference between terrible and terribly, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1:

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank:

1. The weather was ___________ hot today.
2. She sang the song ___________.
3. The movie was ___________ boring.

Answer key:

1. terribly
2. terribly
3. terrible

Exercise 2:

Complete the following sentences with either terrible or terribly:

1. The accident was ___________.
2. She is ___________ afraid of spiders.
3. He felt ___________ guilty for forgetting his friend’s birthday.
4. The food at the restaurant was ___________.

Answer key:

1. terrible
2. terribly
3. terribly
4. terrible

Remember, terrible is an adjective that describes a noun, while terribly is an adverb that describes a verb or adjective. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be using these words correctly and with confidence!

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of the words terrible and terribly, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in writing and speech. Terrible is an adjective that describes something as being of poor quality or causing fear or dread. On the other hand, terribly is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb to indicate the degree or intensity of something.

It is important to understand the difference between these two words to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Using terrible when you mean terribly can change the meaning of a sentence entirely. For example, saying “I am terrible sorry” instead of “I am terribly sorry” can make you sound insincere or uneducated.

Overall, this article emphasizes the importance of proper grammar and language use. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can communicate more effectively and avoid common mistakes.