Collocations for "badly"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "badly" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
badly
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adv
- wanted to [go, know, win] so badly
- have never wanted something so badly (before)
- wants so badly to [be, believe, make, have]
- is badly in need of [help, treatment]
- are so badly in need of [money, support]
- need it so badly (that)
- How badly do you need it?
- is badly needed
- is going (pretty) badly
- is taking the news badly
- is [doing, performing] badly at [school, work]
- is not doing too badly
- speaks [French, Spanish, German] (really) badly
- she [plays, sings] badly
- the children behaved badly (in front of the guests)
- was badly [damaged, injured] in the [accident, fire]
- is a badly built [structure, house, roof]
- a badly drawn [tree, house, portrait]
- a badly behaved [child, boy, girl, student]
- are quite badly off [for money, at the moment]
- feel (so) badly for them
- feel badly about [myself, what happened]
'badly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):