a sort of taboo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sort of taboo" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you're referring to something that is strongly discouraged or prohibited, usually within a particular social setting or culture. For example: "It was a sort of taboo to discuss the topic in public, so the group decided to talk about it in private."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There is a sort of taboo.

The New York Times - Travel

"There's a sort of taboo about talking about what's going on".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A: Sort of.

Independent

"It's also a good metaphor for any sort of taboo or transgressive sexual peccadillo, a celebration of anyone who goes against the grain of society or nature.

Huffington Post

And some modern scholars go so far as to wonder whether non-self functions as anything more than a sort of linguistic taboo against the use of words like 'I'  and 'self' in the Buddhist tradition (Collins 1982: 183).

SEP

"A lot of gaming innovations have come from Britain, but I do think that we're perhaps a generation away, still, from this being a mainstream pursuit in the UK," says Rick. "It's not like you can just talk about games in a club – it's sort of taboo.

Vice

Although we can all be naked, fat, wrinkled and pimpled together, talking openly about hand jobs, blowjobs, or a good old-fashioned butt-fucking carries some sort of taboo.

Vice

Most of the people I know from high school see it as some sort of taboo.

Huffington Post

When Abu Marzook spoke of the prospect of direct negotiations, he added, "The issues that were sort of taboo policies become on the agenda".

Huffington Post

We've pushed the decision to start a family to an unspecified time in the future and both have avoided the subject like it was some sort of taboo.

Huffington Post

"In the world people do break all sorts of taboos," Ms. Bloom said, "although they mostly don't like to talk about it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sort of taboo" when you want to express that something is generally avoided or discouraged within a specific group or context, but not necessarily formally prohibited.

Common error

Avoid using "a sort of taboo" when referring to actions that are illegal or carry severe consequences. The phrase implies a social or cultural aversion, not a legal or existential threat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sort of taboo" functions as a qualifier, indicating a weaker or less defined form of a prohibited or discouraged behavior or topic. It softens the strength of the word "taboo", suggesting something is generally avoided rather than strictly forbidden. Ludwig AI confirms this use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sort of taboo" is a qualifier used to describe something that is generally avoided or discouraged within a specific context, without being strictly prohibited. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate use. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources, including news media and scientific publications.

When using "a sort of taboo", it's important to consider the strength of the prohibition you intend to convey. It's best suited for situations where something is culturally or socially discouraged rather than legally forbidden. Alternative expressions, such as "a kind of prohibition" or "social unacceptability", might be more appropriate in certain contexts, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind of prohibition

Replaces 'sort' with 'kind' and 'taboo' with 'prohibition', emphasizing a formal ban.

a form of restriction

Substitutes 'taboo' with 'restriction' and 'sort' with 'form', focusing on limitation rather than a cultural prohibition.

a social unacceptability

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive noun phrase, directly stating the social disapproval.

a type of stigma

Uses 'stigma' to highlight the negative social perception associated with the action.

a moral impropriety

Replaces taboo to 'impropriety' and 'sort of' to 'moral', which suggests an ethical violation.

a subtle interdiction

Emphasizes the indirect or understated nature of the prohibition.

a frowned-upon practice

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive and informal expression.

an implicit ban

Highlights that the prohibition is not explicitly stated but understood.

a certain censure

Conveys a sense of disapproval or condemnation.

a vague prohibition

Highlights the lack of clarity or definition surrounding the prohibition.

FAQs

How can I use "a sort of taboo" in a sentence?

You can use "a sort of taboo" to describe topics or behaviors that are generally avoided in conversation or practice within a specific group. For example, "Discussing salary was "a sort of taboo" in the office."

What's the difference between "a sort of taboo" and "a strong taboo"?

"A strong taboo" implies a very firm and widely recognized prohibition, whereas ""a sort of taboo"" suggests something is generally discouraged but not necessarily a strict rule.

Are there synonyms for "a sort of taboo" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a kind of prohibition", "a form of restriction", or "social unacceptability depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a sort of taboo" in formal writing?

While ""a sort of taboo"" is generally acceptable, consider the audience and purpose of your writing. In highly formal contexts, a more precise or direct term might be preferable. For example a kind of prohibition.