a touch insensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch insensitive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comment or action that is slightly lacking in sensitivity or consideration for others' feelings. Example: "His remark about her performance was a touch insensitive, given the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And this is a man who has been known to appear out of touch, insensitive and more likely to imply "suck it up" than "I feel your pain".

The New York Times

The letter said: "Do you appreciate how out of touch, insensitive and insulting these comments are?

The Telegraph

Its style editors didn't want to risk seeming out of touch, insensitive, unfair and — God forbid — partisan.

The New York Times

At approximately 65 hpf, double mutants are touch insensitive, as are trpm7 mutants.

Plosone

Nevertheless, the actual false-positive rate is probably still very low, given that all mutants tested were confirmed to be touch insensitive.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Much of the work on the stomatin family has concentrated on a group of C. elegans proteins that were identified in a screen to identify touch-insensitive mutants [ 25].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Genetic screens for touch-insensitive worms have revealed alleles of the mec genes that encode putative extracellular proteins (Gu et al, 1996; Emtage et al, 2004).

EMBO Journal

Saturated mutageneses for touch-insensitive mutants have identified 18 genes required for mechanosensation, including genes encoding components of the mechanotransduction complex, the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, and genes affecting the development of the TRNs (Chalfie and Au 1989; Du and Chalfie 2001; O'Hagan and Chalfie 2006; Bounoutas and Chalfie 2007).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Mutants of the C. elegans DEG/ENaC Mec-4 and its Drosophila homolog, PPK1, are touch-insensitive and the affected neurons fail to generate action potentials in response to mechanic tension (O'Hagan et al., 2005; Hwang et al., 2007; Zhong et al., 2010).

eLife

A touch.

The New York Times - Arts

Generally, a touch sensor senses only the touch position.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a touch insensitive", consider the context and audience. It's often best used to describe minor lapses in sensitivity rather than outright cruelty or malice, as it softens the criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch insensitive" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more direct and serious tone is required. Opt for alternatives that convey the severity of the insensitivity more clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch insensitive" functions as a qualifier, softening the directness of the adjective "insensitive". It's used to express a mild form of criticism or to point out a minor lack of consideration without being overly harsh. As suggested by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a touch insensitive" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating a mild lack of sensitivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to express a gentle critique or point out a minor oversight in consideration. While suitable for various contexts, including news and media, it's best to avoid it in highly formal settings. Consider using alternatives like "slightly inconsiderate" or "a little thoughtless" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to assess the audience and context to ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly insensitive

Uses "mildly" to soften the impact, indicating a less severe form of insensitivity.

rather insensitive

Uses "rather" to amplify the insensitivity, adding a degree of emphasis.

a trifle insensitive

Uses "a trifle" to indicate a small degree of insensitivity, maintaining a similar level of mildness.

slightly inconsiderate

Implies a minor lack of consideration, similar in tone but using more direct vocabulary.

a little thoughtless

Emphasizes the lack of thinking or consideration behind the action or statement.

a bit unfeeling

Focuses on the lack of empathy, suggesting a slightly harsher judgment.

somewhat tactless

Highlights a lack of social grace or awareness, differing slightly in focus.

marginally callous

Suggests a hardened or insensitive attitude, carrying a stronger negative connotation.

slightly crude

Shifts the focus to a lack of refinement or politeness, suggesting a different kind of failing.

somewhat boorish

Implies rudeness or ill-mannered behavior, moving further from the core meaning of insensitivity.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch insensitive" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch insensitive" to describe a remark or action that lacks sensitivity. For example, "His comment about her weight was "a touch insensitive", given her recent health issues."

What's a less harsh way to say something was insensitive?

Instead of directly calling something insensitive, you can use softer phrases like "slightly inconsiderate" or "a little thoughtless".

Is it appropriate to use "a touch insensitive" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a touch insensitive" might be too mild for formal writing. Consider using stronger terms like "rather insensitive" or describing the specific lack of consideration.

What's the difference between "a touch insensitive" and "insensitive"?

"A touch insensitive" implies a mild or slight lack of sensitivity, whereas "insensitive" suggests a more pronounced or significant lack of consideration for others' feelings.