What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
badly
Example
He played badly in the soccer match and missed several shots. [badly: adverb]
Example
I badly need a vacation to relax and recharge. [badly: adverb]
terribly
Example
The food at that restaurant was terribly disappointing. [terribly: adverb]
Example
She was terribly afraid of spiders and couldn't even look at them. [terribly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Badly is more commonly used in everyday language compared to terribly. Badly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while terribly is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between badly and terribly?
While badly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, terribly is considered more formal. Terribly is often used in written or formal speech, while badly is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
