as bad as possible vs as badly as possible

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'As bad as possible' means reaching the worst level of badness, while 'as badly as possible' means performing an action in the worst manner possible.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 4480 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express reaching the worst level of badness.

"as bad as possible"

This phrase is used to indicate that something has reached the worst possible state of being bad.

Examples:

The situation is as bad as possible.
He performed as bad as possible in the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

So that red line there was something that a lot of skeptics said the environmentalists only put in the projections to make the projections look as bad as possible,
So that red line there was something that a lot of skeptics said the environmentalists only put in the projections to make the projections look as bad as possible, that emissions would never grow as fast as that red line.
And you need to make the situation sound as bad as possible.
My whole life, I've made every bad choice possible.
I got thermal that confirms at least seven possible bad guys inside.
Plus, you're looking at all the possible bad things.
Enough to believe that other bad things are possible.
It's entirely possible for bad things to happen.
It's entirely possible for bad things to happen.
Bad news, two possible hosts remain.
We should also bear in mind that so-called bad lobbying is also possible through direct contacts in the Member States.
Signing not possible: bad passphrase or missing key
If we reach an agreement in Amsterdam - and once again the situation does not seem so bad - it is possible that the results will not match our expectations as someone has already emphasized.
If sensory information got misinterpreted by the medial forebrain bundle, it's possible for bad to feel good, and good to feel bad.
Just as bad as Sarcone is, Malo.
Callahan is as bad as they come, Verona.
A breakup isn't as bad as watching me die.
Till a voice, as bad as Conscience, rang interminable changes.
It was as bad as the coed.
Not as bad as I thought.

Alternatives:

as terrible as possible
as awful as possible
as dreadful as possible
as horrible as possible
as atrocious as possible

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express performing an action in the worst manner possible.

"as badly as possible"

This phrase is used to indicate that an action is being performed in the worst manner possible.

Examples:

He played as badly as possible in the match.
She sang as badly as possible during the performance.

Show examples from the web [+]

He focused on possible technical solutions such as the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) whilst also highlighting US spending in clean energy technology: "we're not doing as badly as projected," he told MEPs.
Of course; I want to find Whitman as badly as you do.
And you wanted to find Janet as badly as I did.
Because we want to get back to our universe as badly as you do.
I want them stopped as badly as you do.
I want to find Mandy as badly as you do.
Even for someone who needs to win as badly as you do.
They want these criminals brought to justice... as badly as we do.
Anyone dressed as badly as you are must be an eccentric billionaire.
I knew no day could go as badly as yesterday did.
Not as badly as they did.
Michael wants Scylla just as badly as we do.
We want to crack this case just as badly as you do.
Look, I want to get this guy just as badly as you do.
I'm sure she wants him dead as badly as I do.
I'm sure she wants him dead as badly as I do.
I didn't lose Lorelei Martins and I want her back just as badly as you do.
Now I have a partner who wants a family as badly as I do.
I want that just as badly as you do.
He's the one man that wants this as badly as we do.

Alternatives:

as poorly as possible
as inadequately as possible
as incompetently as possible
as unsatisfactorily as possible
as substandardly as possible

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as bad as possible vs as badly as possible