a slightly cumbersome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly cumbersome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat awkward or difficult to manage or handle. Example: "The new software has a slightly cumbersome interface that takes time to get used to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It has a slightly cumbersome title, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, though CEHR may eventually become almost as well-known an acronym as TUC or NHS.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is also a slightly cumbersome search engine for event listings, and a list of stolen cars, searchable by vehicle identification number, state of registration, or make and model.

The New York Times

There has even been some cautious talk that the 35-year-old Sol Campbell could be asked to come in and "do a job", presumably as a bespoke managerial hatstand or a slightly cumbersome occasional table.

The Guardian - Sport

Parents of children who have time management problems may wish they had a way to cap the number of minutes their children use daily, but a slightly cumbersome workaround exists: they can do a little math, log onto T-Mobile's site every day and add more minutes to their children's accounts.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Brink, in contrast, could write in a blocky, slightly cumbersome way, and some of his overlong later novels needed more editing.

The New Yorker

Of course his appointment is not 100%, because there is a formal and slightly cumbersome appointments process.

BBC

The Mod-MPI for the right heart has traditionally been a slightly more cumbersome measure.

BioMed Research International

Marking the return of the Royal Court's artistic director Vicky Featherstone to the National Theatre of Scotland alongside Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall, this is an adaptation of Alan Warner's 1998 novel The Sopranos, its slightly cumbersome retitling presumably to ward off the obvious confusion with gangsters from New Jersey.

Independent

Mr. Russo uses the slightly cumbersome device of having Lucy write about this in a memoir.

The New York Times

Transport Road links are good, but rail links can be slightly cumbersome.

The Guardian

Nespresso runs its own slightly cumbersome recycling programme, but – surprisingly – they don't say how many of their pods get recycled.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly cumbersome" to describe processes or objects that are not overwhelmingly difficult but still present minor inconveniences. It is suitable when a stronger term like "unwieldy" or "difficult" would be an overstatement.

Common error

While acceptable, "a slightly cumbersome" might sound too informal for academic or high-level business writing. In such contexts, consider more precise and formal alternatives such as "somewhat complex" or "moderately challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly cumbersome" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It describes something as being somewhat awkward or difficult to handle. As Ludwig examples show, it is often used to describe processes, systems, or objects that are not extremely challenging but still present some inconvenience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly cumbersome" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something as mildly inconvenient or awkward. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not overly formal, it's suitable for news and general writing. Consider more precise terms for formal academic or business contexts. Examples on Ludwig showcase its use in describing various processes, systems, and objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat unwieldy

Replaces "cumbersome" with "unwieldy", suggesting a lack of manageability due to size or shape.

a marginally awkward

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "awkward", highlighting the lack of grace or ease of use.

a minimally inconvenient

Replaces "cumbersome" with "inconvenient", focusing on the minor trouble or difficulty caused.

a trivially burdensome

Replaces "cumbersome" with "burdensome", indicating a slight load or responsibility.

a somewhat clunky

Similar to "cumbersome" but implies that the difficulty is due to poor design or execution.

a bit of a hassle

Expresses that something requires effort and may be annoying.

a touch laborious

Highlights the effort required, suggesting hard work or exertion.

a shade complicated

Focuses on the complexity, implying it is not straightforward or easy to understand.

a touch intricate

Similar to "complicated" but suggests that the complexity is due to many interconnected parts.

a little tedious

Indicates that something is repetitive and monotonous, causing weariness.

FAQs

How can I use "a slightly cumbersome" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly cumbersome" to describe something that is somewhat awkward or difficult to manage. For example, "The new software has "a slightly cumbersome interface" that takes time to get used to."

What are some alternatives to "a slightly cumbersome"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unwieldy", "marginally awkward", or "minimally inconvenient" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a slightly cumbersome"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something is not severely difficult or problematic, but it does present some degree of inconvenience or awkwardness. It fits well in neutral to slightly informal contexts.

Is "a slightly cumbersome" too informal for academic writing?

It might be perceived as slightly informal for certain academic contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "somewhat complex" or "moderately challenging" to maintain a more formal tone.