a little tedious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little tedious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat boring or tiresome, often in a mild or understated way. Example: "The lecture was a little tedious, but I still learned a lot from it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's a little tedious.

The New York Times

Film can be a little tedious.

The Guardian

It's all very complicated — and a little tedious.

The New York Times

"I like going door-to-door," he added, "but it can be a little tedious".

The New York Times

"It gets a little tedious, but I love what I do.

The New York Times

Even endless sex after a couple of millennia probably gets a little tedious".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Some people still find Rossini's serious operas a little, well, tedious.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a little bit tedious to calculate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Flatchat wants to make the process a little less tedious for renters in India.

TechCrunch

To make the dev process a little less tedious (and, I'd imagine, to give wary techies a bit of a trial run), they've also released an emulator for the device.

TechCrunch

The process may seem a little more tedious than regular applique, but the results look more professional and refined (and it's easier than you think!).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little tedious" to politely express that something is somewhat boring or repetitive without being overly critical. It's a useful phrase for softening potentially negative feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "a little tedious" too frequently in your writing, as it can become predictable. Vary your language by using synonyms like "somewhat dull" or "slightly tiresome" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little tedious" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe something as being mildly boring or tiresome. Ludwig provides several examples that demonstrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little tedious" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something as mildly boring or tiresome. Ludwig's analysis, combined with numerous real-world examples, confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally acceptable, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain reader engagement. As Ludwig AI suggests, using "a little tedious" is a good way of softening potentially negative feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly tiresome

Substitutes "tedious" with "tiresome" and maintains the "a little" qualifier.

a bit dull

Uses "dull" instead of "tedious" to convey a lack of excitement.

rather boring

Employs "boring" as a direct replacement for "tedious", indicating a lack of interest.

somewhat monotonous

Replaces "tedious" with a synonym focusing on the lack of variation.

slightly laborious

Substitutes "tedious" with "laborious" suggesting the activity takes considerable time and effort.

somewhat unexciting

Replaces "tedious" with the antonym of "exciting", suggesting a lack of stimulation.

mildly repetitive

Focuses on the aspect of repetition often associated with tedious tasks.

a trifle wearisome

Uses "wearisome" to convey a sense of causing fatigue or exhaustion.

somewhat painstaking

Emphasizes the need for care and attention, often associated with tedious tasks.

a touch humdrum

Replaces "tedious" with "humdrum", emphasizing the ordinariness and lack of excitement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little tedious" to describe tasks, events, or experiences that are somewhat boring or tiresome. For example, "The lecture was "a little tedious", but I still learned some valuable information".

What's a less common way to say "a little tedious"?

Consider alternatives such as "somewhat monotonous", "slightly tiresome", or "a bit dull" for a fresh take on expressing mild boredom.

Is "a little tedious" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a little tedious" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "somewhat laborious" or "slightly wearisome" might be preferable in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a little tedious" and "very tedious"?

"A little tedious" implies a mild level of boredom or tiresomeness, while "very tedious" suggests a much stronger feeling. If something is significantly boring, "extremely tedious" or "highly repetitive" may be more appropriate.