why do we say "too bad"? - English Language & Usage Stack …
WEBApr 24, 2017 · Bad can means "wicked", but it also means "unfortunate". To say "too bad" to mean "regrettable", whether sincerely or not, is in line with the sense of "unfortunate". It is odd that "too bad" only picks up on the "unfortunate" sense. See below, though, for some quotations from OED of "too bad" used with senses of bad other than "unfortunate".
To bad or too bad | Learn English - Preply
WEB"Too" means "overly" or "extremely" For example, You can say to someone who didn't get the job they wanted "Too bad, I hope you get the job next time." Or if there is a rotten part of fruit and you must throw it in the garbage, "The apple was too bad. I couldn't use it."
Interpreting "not bad" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
WEBNorthern British for good/great. “Not bad” is used to acknowledge things could be a lot worse without giving away that everything is actually fine. There’s an element of machismo mixed with a touch of cynicism. Culturally the phrase does not translate much further south than the Mersey/Humber line in Britain.
word choice - It's a pity / shame / unfortunate - English Language ...
WEBJul 27, 2015 · It's too bad you can't join us. (Just one of those unavoidable things) It's a shame you can't join us. (A shame affects both of us equally) It's unfortunate you can't join us. (Could be neutral but could be cold, official) It's a pity you can't join us.
The expression 'not that bad of a' - English Language & Usage …
WEBAug 21, 2014 · 3. “It’s not that much of a problem” or “It’s not that big of a deal” are both exceedingly common, particularly in (informal) AmE, as is the asker’s quote. Of here does not have the function of linking two noun phrases, and saying you ‘cannot’ use the construction flies in the face of actual language usage. – Janus Bahs Jacquet.
Is there a more modern way to say "it's a pity"?
WEBCertainly "I don't know, I'm afraid" is more common in England today. In this particular context, referring to yourself, I would say it sounds more archaic than formal. "It's a shame" would often be used in other circumstances, e.g. "It's a shame the weather spoiled the event." Today "it's a pity" would be more commonly used in such a circumstance.
Common phrases for something that appears good but is actually …
WEBWhat are common phrases that describe something that appears good but is actually bad? Edit: Because people say bad is vague I will try to sum up the phrase meaning a little better. something that looks like it will be helpful or advantageous but after use it is hindering. a tool that seems useful but is not the correct tool for the job
Is the phrase 'not bad an attempt' correct grammatically?
WEBMay 18, 2018 · I like it too ... not grammatical but used often, especially spoken. I do also acknowlege @WS2 :'it better slides off the tongue in constructions involving not too bad a(n) X'. Google books is littered with not bad an. He had not bad an opportunity of bringing the Bill in earlier.
not too bad (of) an idea? - English Language & Usage Stack …
WEBThat's too much of quality time. is incorrect. "Quality" is just an adjective. Therefore... The "rules" suggest that you should NOT have an "of" in the phrase "not too bad an idea." However... Colloquialisms don't obey rules as they often come from common slips-of-the-tongue as people babble along. Frankly, folks in my area toss an extra "of ...
"Not bad at all" vs. "Not at all bad" - English Language & Usage …
WEBMar 21, 2016 · 0. "Not bad at all" is more colloquial speech. It's an informal way of saying that something was good, with "at all" just being an extension of the common phrase "not bad" which is, again, usually describing a positive experience. "Not at all bad" is more formal, and tends to mean, more literally, that there was no negative aspect to something ...