Practice
Terrible at or terrible on: choose the natural phrase
Sign in to saveAfter missing several turns, Sam says, "I am terrible at reading maps." The phrase tells us that Sam has difficulty with that skill. Terrible on reading maps is not the usual English pattern.
Use terrible at before a skill or activity, avoid terrible on for this meaning, and choose kinder alternatives when speaking about yourself or another person.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
He is terrible at remembering names. /hiː ɪz ˈterəbl æt rɪˈmembərɪŋ neɪmz/
The short answer
Say terrible at plus a skill, subject, activity, or task. Use I am terrible at directions, not I am terrible on directions. The phrase is strong, so choose a softer expression when the situation needs care.
I am terrible at remembering passwords.
Why it works: At introduces the activity that the speaker finds difficult.
5 more examples
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Nora is terrible at parking in small spaces.
At is followed by an -ing form that names the activity.
Not this:Nora is
terrible on parkingin small spaces. What changes: On is not the usual preposition for ability in this pattern. -
I am terrible at remembering birthdays.
Remembering is the activity that the speaker finds difficult.
Not this:I am
terrible in rememberingbirthdays. What changes: In is not the usual preposition after terrible for a skill. -
He was terrible at math when he started the course.
Math is the subject where the speaker describes weak ability.
Not this:He was
terrible on mathwhen he started the course. What changes: Terrible on math is not the standard ability pattern. -
She is not very good at speaking in large meetings yet.
This is a softer way to describe difficulty with a skill.
Not this:She is
terrible at speakingin large meetings. What changes: This version is stronger and may sound harsh in feedback. -
The trainee needs more practice with the booking system.
The sentence gives a specific and constructive description.
Not this:The trainee is
terrible atthe booking system. What changes: The stronger phrase labels the trainee instead of naming the practical next step.
Read the full guide
Start with the meaning. If you are describing how well someone performs an activity, use at after terrible. Then check what follows. It can be a noun phrase, such as chess, or an -ing form, such as organizing files.
Use at for ability and skills
Use terrible at when the sentence describes how well someone can do a task, play a game, study a subject, or perform an activity. At is the regular preposition in this adjective pattern.
I am terrible at chess.
Chess is the skill that the speaker says they do badly.
Which preposition follows terrible when you mean a skill?
Use at: terrible at chess.
Follow at with a noun or an -ing form
After at, use a noun such as math, tennis, or directions. You can also use an -ing form to name an activity, such as cooking, remembering, or speaking.
She is terrible at keeping track of receipts.
Keeping is an -ing form that names the activity.
Complete the sentence: They are terrible at ___ names.
Use remembering: They are terrible at remembering names.
Do not use on for this meaning
On appears in many English phrases, but it does not normally form the ability pattern with terrible. When you mean that someone performs a task badly, use terrible at.
My brother is terrible at following recipes.
At links terrible to the activity of following recipes.
Is terrible on following recipes the usual phrase?
No. Say terrible at following recipes.
Choose the right strength of meaning
Terrible is a strong word. It may be lighthearted when a speaker talks about their own cooking or dancing. For feedback, a more detailed sentence can help the person understand what to practice.
She needs more practice with spreadsheet formulas.
This sentence identifies the skill and a useful next step without using a strong label.
What is a softer alternative to terrible at?
You can say not very good at, still learning, or needs more practice, depending on the situation.
Keep the meaning about an activity
Terrible can describe many things, such as terrible weather or terrible news. Those uses do not describe ability. Use terrible at only when the following word or phrase names a skill, task, or subject.
The weather was terrible during the trip.
Terrible describes the weather, so the ability pattern with at is not used.
Does terrible weather need at after terrible?
No. At is used when terrible describes ability at a task or skill.
Before you go
Remember this
Use terrible at for an activity, skill, or subject. The phrase can be followed by a noun or an -ing form. Do not use terrible on for this ability meaning. Choose a softer description when you are giving feedback or discussing someone else.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Terrible at or terrible on: choose the natural phrase"
Is it terrible at or terrible on?
Use terrible at when you mean that someone does a skill, activity, subject, or task very badly. Say terrible at math or terrible at remembering names. Terrible on is not the usual English pattern for ability.
Nora is terrible at parking in small spaces.
What can come after terrible at?
A noun or an -ing form can follow terrible at. You can say terrible at tennis, terrible at directions, or terrible at organizing files. The word after at names the skill or activity that is difficult.
Nora is terrible on parking in small spaces.
Can I say terrible at to describe myself?
Yes. People often use the phrase about themselves in casual conversation, especially with a little humor. It is still a strong expression, so use it carefully if the subject is serious or if the listener may take it as a personal judgment.
I am terrible at remembering birthdays.
What is a softer way to say terrible at?
You can say not very good at, still learning, needs more practice, or found this task difficult. A softer phrase can be better in feedback because it names the skill without making a broad judgment about the person.
I am terrible in remembering birthdays.
Does terrible always need at after it?
No. Terrible can describe a thing directly, as in terrible weather, terrible news, or a terrible mistake. Use at only when terrible describes how well someone performs a skill, activity, task, or subject.
He was terrible at math when he started the course.