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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I'm mortified

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Now I'm mortified.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I'm mortified by what's happened.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I'm mortified by the whole thing," said Thompson.

News & Media

BBC

I'm mortified by this news and feel utterly trapped.

News & Media

The Guardian

He added: "I'm mortified by the fact that I fell into this trap".

News & Media

Independent

I'm mortified about how hard the readers' editor and the moderators have to work on my behalf.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And I was mortified.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I was mortified.

News & Media

The New York Times

I am mortified.

News & Media

The Economist

Still, I was mortified.

News & Media

The New York Times

Frankly, I was mortified.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm mortified" to express a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame, especially when you want to convey that you feel deeply humiliated by something that has happened or that you have done. It's best suited for situations where the feeling is intense and somewhat unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "I'm mortified" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for situations where the level of embarrassment genuinely warrants such a strong expression. For less intense situations, consider alternatives like "I'm embarrassed" or "I'm a little ashamed".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm mortified" functions as an expressive statement conveying a strong feeling of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. According to Ludwig, the sentence is grammatically correct and it is an exclamation that communicates the speaker's emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Opinion

15%

Books

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'm mortified" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples, predominantly from news and media sources, indicates that it is used in a neutral register to communicate intense discomfort or humiliation. While the phrase is commonly used, it is important to reserve it for situations where such a strong emotional expression is warranted. Related phrases like "I'm so ashamed" or "I'm incredibly embarrassed" may be more appropriate in less intense situations.

FAQs

What does "I'm mortified" mean?

The phrase "I'm mortified" expresses a strong feeling of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. It suggests that the speaker feels deeply ashamed or intensely uncomfortable about something.

When is it appropriate to say "I'm mortified"?

It's appropriate to use "I'm mortified" when you feel an overwhelming sense of shame or embarrassment due to a mistake, a social faux pas, or an unexpected event. It's stronger than simply being embarrassed.

What can I say instead of "I'm mortified"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm so ashamed", "I'm incredibly embarrassed", or "I feel deeply humiliated" depending on the context.

Is "I'm mortified" formal or informal?

The phrase "I'm mortified" is generally considered neutral in formality. While it expresses a strong emotion, it is acceptable in both casual and more formal settings, though it's crucial to assess whether such an intense expression is appropriate for the occasion.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: