a little pathological

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little pathological" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior or tendencies that are slightly abnormal or indicative of a mental or emotional disorder. Example: "His obsession with collecting rare items is a little pathological, as it often interferes with his daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's a little pathological, I admit".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is little pathological or radiological evidence that vasogenic edema plays a major role in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria [ 31, 36], a principle supported by an absence of clinical evidence of cerebral edema in any of the patients in PRISM [ 25] and the absence of neurological deterioration in any of the patients receiving fluid loading in VHS [ 18].

Critical Care

Many people develop abnormalities in this system that have little pathological consequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This variant has been reported previously occurring at similar frequencies in breast cancer and cancer-free individuals of Chinese descent in Hong Kong [18] and Shanghai [26], suggesting that this variant is neutral or of little pathological significance.

Plosone

Although statistical differences were detected in expression of several genes due to diet in young dogs, such changes may be of little pathological relevance to hepatic function because all young dogs remained healthy and had normal growth during the entire experiment.

Plosone

In addition, there were few egg granulomas and little pathological damage was seen in schistosome-infected water buffalo.

BMC Veterinary Research

There is a little information regarding its pathological roles in human cancer tissues.

BMC Cancer

But her Twitter compulsion also seems pathological and more than a little sad.

Huffington Post

"It's one way to talk about and promote myself, but I'll poke a little fun at myself and make it seem almost pathological".

The New York Times

Unlike the present era, where the slightest behavioral anomaly is viewed as pathological, my rocking was seen as a little "quirky" but not really harmful, and anyway, "He'll grow out of it".

Vice

Thus, while a little narcissism may be advantageous, too much of it is pathological and dysfunctional.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little pathological", ensure the context clearly indicates a mild deviation from normalcy, not a severe mental illness. Overusing the term can trivialize genuine psychological conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "a little pathological" to describe serious mental health conditions. It's appropriate for quirky behaviors or mild obsessions, but not for severe disorders that require professional diagnosis and treatment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little pathological" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something as being mildly related to pathology, indicating a slight deviation from normal behavior or mental state. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little pathological" is used to describe something as mildly abnormal or indicative of a slight mental or emotional disorder. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as scientific discussions. It's crucial to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding its application to severe mental health conditions to prevent trivialization. Alternatives include "somewhat abnormal" or "mildly obsessive", depending on the nuance you intend to convey. Always consider the context and audience to ensure appropriate usage. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase, which can add a touch of humor or gentle critique when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat abnormal

Focuses more on deviation from the norm than a potential underlying disorder.

slightly disturbed

Emphasizes a mild state of mental or emotional disarray.

mildly obsessive

Highlights a specific type of behavior characterized by repetitive thoughts or actions.

somewhat unhealthy

Indicates a state that is not entirely sound, either physically or mentally.

a touch neurotic

Suggests a slight degree of anxiety, excessive worry or compulsive behaviors.

borderline disordered

Implies that the behavior or condition is nearing the threshold of a diagnosable disorder.

slightly deranged

Indicates mild insanity or madness

a bit extreme

Focuses on the intensity of the behavior, rather than its psychological underpinnings.

somewhat eccentric

Emphasizes unconventional or slightly strange behavior.

a tad obsessive

Highlights a tendency to be extremely focused on something.

FAQs

How can I use "a little pathological" in a sentence?

You can use "a little pathological" to describe behaviors or tendencies that are somewhat abnormal or indicative of a mild mental or emotional issue. For instance, "His dedication to organizing his books is "a little pathological"."

What does "a little pathological" mean?

The phrase "a little pathological" suggests that something or someone exhibits slightly abnormal behavior or characteristics that could be associated with a psychological condition, but not to a severe or clinically significant degree. It implies a mild form of an unhealthy obsession or compulsion.

What can I say instead of "a little pathological"?

Alternatives to "a little pathological" include "somewhat abnormal", "slightly disturbed", or "mildly obsessive", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a little pathological" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little pathological" might be considered too informal for some academic or professional contexts. In such cases, consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "somewhat aberrant" or "mildly irregular" depending on what you mean.