Meaning
Used to express that something is very bad or upsetting.
Cultural Background
Americans often use 'That's terrible' as a 'supportive listener' cue. It doesn't always mean the person is deeply shocked; it's a way to say 'I am on your side.' British speakers might use 'That's a bit of a nightmare' or 'That's not great' for things Americans call 'terrible.' 'Terrible' is reserved for slightly more serious things. Australians might use 'That's no good' or 'That's a shocker' as informal equivalents to 'That's terrible.' In international business, 'That's terrible' can sound too emotional. Professionals often use 'That is unfortunate' to maintain a neutral, calm environment.
Tone Matters
When saying 'That's terrible' for empathy, lower your pitch and speak a bit slower to sound sincere.
Avoid Overuse
If you say 'That's terrible' for every small thing, people might think you are being sarcastic.
Meaning
Used to express that something is very bad or upsetting.
Tone Matters
When saying 'That's terrible' for empathy, lower your pitch and speak a bit slower to sound sincere.
Avoid Overuse
If you say 'That's terrible' for every small thing, people might think you are being sarcastic.
The 'Really' Boost
Add 'really' (That's really terrible) to show you are truly shocked by the news.
Test Yourself
Choose the best response to the following situation.
Friend: 'I just found out I failed my driving test for the third time.'
'That's terrible' is the correct way to show empathy for bad news. 'Terrific' means good, and the others are grammatically incorrect.
Complete the sentence with the correct word.
The weather during our camping trip was __________. It rained every single day!
We need an adjective to describe the weather. 'Terrible' fits the context of rain ruining a trip.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You see a movie that was very boring and had bad acting.
'That's terrible' is used to criticize the poor quality of art or entertainment.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 'Did you hear? The old library burned down last night.' B: '_________________'
When reacting to a community disaster, 'That's terrible news' is a standard, empathetic response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'That's terrible'
Empathy
- • Lost keys
- • Feeling sick
- • Bad news
Critique
- • Bad food
- • Boring movie
- • Poor service
Practice Bank
4 exercisesFriend: 'I just found out I failed my driving test for the third time.'
'That's terrible' is the correct way to show empathy for bad news. 'Terrific' means good, and the others are grammatically incorrect.
The weather during our camping trip was __________. It rained every single day!
We need an adjective to describe the weather. 'Terrible' fits the context of rain ruining a trip.
Situation: You see a movie that was very boring and had bad acting.
'That's terrible' is used to criticize the poor quality of art or entertainment.
A: 'Did you hear? The old library burned down last night.' B: '_________________'
When reacting to a community disaster, 'That's terrible news' is a standard, empathetic response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's usually very kind! It shows you are listening and care about the other person's problems.
Be careful. Saying 'He is terrible' means he is a very bad person or very bad at his job. It is a strong insult.
There is almost no difference. They are interchangeable in most situations.
Yes, if they share bad news (like a project failing), but 'That is unfortunate' might sound more professional.
Related Phrases
That's awful
synonymVery bad or unpleasant.
That's a shame
similarUsed for minor disappointments.
That's terrific
contrastThat's great/wonderful.
That's a nightmare
similarA very difficult or stressful situation.
