a bit egregious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit egregious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat shocking or outrageous, often in a negative context. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the arts was a bit egregious, considering the program's impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Showing up unannounced, without checking to see whether I was on a date or out with relatives, seems a bit egregious.

The New York Times

"But in a drought emergency, it seems a bit egregious to be using nearly 500 gallons of water per person per day," Quinn said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All that anti-patriotic tar stuck a bit, along with some egregious, unsubstantiated analysis of her college thesis.

The Guardian - Opinion

When misconduct is described as "egregious," it is a bit surprising that no individual is identified as being responsible.

The New York Times

Both are nimble enough to sidestep egregious caricature, but neither is above a bit of obvious mugging when it serves the cause.

The New York Times

Now, to fill this article out I had to get a bit pedantic, but honestly, some of these are pretty egregious.

TechCrunch

He added: "If they had a bit more [character] about them it wouldn't be so egregious.

BBC

Actually, this is a tarted-up version of the Tories' old "Parent Plus" scheme, with a bit of babysitting thrown in.So how are ministers getting away with this egregious stealing of Conservative clothes that they once scorned?

The Economist

"There's been a bit of a consensus that lethal [cyanide] gas has been the most egregious [method]," she said.

Huffington Post

But it raises an immediate policy question, which has got a bit lost in all the talk about the fiscal cliff: What about eliminating the egregious tax break that hedge-fund managers like Cohen enjoy?

The New Yorker

I usually don't respond to this kind of behavior, but it was so egregious that when I came out, I suggested the pounding was a bit much, given that I'd been in there less than a minute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit egregious" to express mild disapproval or criticism of a situation or action without being overly harsh. It softens the impact of the word "egregious" while still conveying a negative judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "egregious" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for situations where the offense or error is truly noticeable. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "flagrant", "glaring", or "blatant" for similar but distinct effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit egregious" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The adverb "a bit" intensifies the adjective "egregious", indicating that something is noticeably bad or offensive, but to a limited extent. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit egregious" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express mild disapproval, softening the intensity of the word "egregious" while still conveying a negative judgment. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears primarily in News & Media contexts. Alternatives include "slightly outrageous" or "somewhat excessive". When using this phrase, consider the degree of offense and the formality of the context to ensure it appropriately reflects your intended message. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly outrageous

This alternative emphasizes the shocking or offensive nature of something, but in a milder way.

somewhat excessive

Focuses on the idea that something goes beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

rather unacceptable

Highlights that something is not within the bounds of what is considered tolerable.

a little offensive

Directly points out that something is causing hurt feelings or displeasure.

somewhat appalling

Emphasizes the shocking and disturbing nature of something, though to a lesser degree than "appalling" alone.

slightly reprehensible

Indicates that something deserves condemnation or disapproval to some extent.

a tad outrageous

Uses "tad" for a slightly more informal way to say "a bit".

mildly objectionable

Indicates something is causing disapproval or disagreement, but in a minor way.

kind of scandalous

Suggests that something is causing public outrage and moral shock to a degree.

slightly improper

Suggests a breach of etiquette or accepted standards of behavior, without being extremely serious.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit egregious" in a sentence?

Use "a bit egregious" to describe something that is noticeably bad or offensive but not to the highest degree. For example, "His behavior at the party was "a bit egregious", but not entirely unforgivable."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit egregious"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly outrageous", "somewhat excessive", or "rather unacceptable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a bit egregious" or "very egregious"?

It depends on the degree of offense. "A bit egregious" suggests a milder form of something bad, while "very egregious" indicates a much more severe or shocking situation. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intensity of the situation.

Can "a bit egregious" be used in formal writing?

While "a bit egregious" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for semi-formal or neutral contexts. In highly formal writing, consider using more direct and forceful language such as "highly objectionable" or "particularly offensive".