horrible vs. horrific

[didi]

Hello, all my English teachers,

I found that words "horrible" and "horrific" are both adjective, and have similar meanings. Can anyone tell me how different they are, and how do we use them differently?

In addition, the word "terrific" has two meanings; one positive and one negative. When teacher says "Your essay is terrific..." How do I know she comment me good or bad?

Thanks in advance!

[Nobody]

Dear Didi, I'm not your English teacher.
But maybe I can help you....

use "terrific" for extreme positive meanings only.
use "terrify(-ied)" for negative situations.
The tornado had terrified our farm.

horrible
use horrible to describe something negative: That was a horrible movie.
or unpleasant: Your handwriting is horrible.

horrific
causing horror, shock greatly
The horrific murder was caught by the police yesterday.

be careful!
Bill was a horrific murder. <<< here: his killing was very horrible
Till is a horrible actor. <<< here: his acting is very bad

[Nobody]

hey didi, I just recognize you are from Taiwan.
I had a very hot discussing with my colleagues about Taiwan's teaching structure. Because one of Taiwan's college wanted to cooperate with us. Therefor me and two of my colleagues went to Taiwan about 4 years ago. We did not agree with the cooperation.
Our structures are too different.
However one of my colleague and very good friend had made his decision. He moved to Taipei to teach English.
He is half Taiwanese. Before he left he told me "I have to help my folk where ever I can and whatever it will take with my knowlegde."
GREAT!
We still write e-mails or talk on the phone. He strives hard every day, but
he is very frustrated. Most of his students believe in him, but most of the English teachers are against his structure.
I may not post more about him or about this topic in public.
------------------------------------------------------------

[Anselm]

Nobody,

With respect, your grasp of English grammar is somewhat lacking.

I assume English is not your native language and do not criticise you for this. However, you should not presume to advise grammatical neophytes on correct English usage when you clearly have no idea.

A tornado cannot "terrify" a farm. The object of the verb "terrify" has to be sentient for this to occur. A tornado might well have "terrified" the farm animals, but that's about it.

Also, "Bill was a horrific murder" is a totally nonsensical sentence. The only way this could be made grammatically correct would be to rephrase it as, "Bill's was a horrific murder". I.e. the murder of Bill was horrific.

It may seem as if I am nit-picking or being pedantic, but this is a grammar forum and you are purporting to teach the subject. However, what you are asserting is incorrect.

This is not one of those issues that you can "fudge" either, by pointing to colloquial usage or arguing that it is a matter of "opinion" etc.

You are "logically" in error and, I am afraid, completely wrong...


Sorry!

Oh by the way, you can’t “catch” a “horrific murder”. Perhaps you meant “murderer”, but then again, the adjective “horrific” is usually confined to the description of “eventives”, I e. nouns that specify actions or events – not individuals.

[geekgoddess]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who noticed all that. I have a tendency to overlook when giving the benefit of the doubt, but when teaching others to speak English, such mistakes should not be made!