a touch of bitterness

USAGE SUMMARY

'a touch of bitterness' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a feeling or flavor that is slightly bitter. For example: "The coffee had just a touch of bitterness, but was still enjoyable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A touch of bitterness can help frame and shape a wine.

The New York Times - Food

Lovage has a celery taste, a cooling flavor with a touch of bitterness.

The New York Times - Food

His wry sense of humour is still intact, but tempered with a touch of bitterness.

The Guardian - Music

The leaves, which offer a touch of bitterness once cooked, helped balance the tomatoes' sweetness.

The New York Times - Food

It's always worth remembering, with a touch of bitterness perhaps, that Chance the Rapper is just 23 years old.

The Guardian - Music

Those beautiful aromas — or as Brett put it, "floral, mandarin, muscat, nice!" Carla found a touch of bitterness in some wines, which she very much appreciated.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The flavor is deeply nutty, with a touch of characteristic bitterness, a worthy adornment for a salad, a cheese tray or the snowy icing on a holiday cake.

The New York Times - Food

Yes, there's the sweetness of the tomatoes, but there is also a touch of saltiness, bitterness and umami-rich flavour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Oysters, seaweed, lemon and a touch of radish bitterness: for me, this recipe by the chef Andrew Carmellini (the subject of a new profile by Jeff Gordinier) calls out for manzanilla, the fino sherry that comes from the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The New York Times

Sandro Romano, the new chef at Armani Ristorante, prepares the fish with a barely warm arugula sauce that offers a nice touch of bitterness and acid to complement the wine.

The New York Times - Food

'No nothing, nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing,' she said with a rare touch of bitterness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch of bitterness" to subtly indicate a slightly negative element in an otherwise positive situation. This adds nuance and realism to your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a touch of bitterness" as it can become predictable. Instead, vary your descriptions with more specific and evocative language to create a richer and more engaging experience for your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of bitterness" functions as a modifier, typically describing a noun. It adds a subtle layer of negativity or unpleasantness to the subject it modifies. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Food

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch of bitterness" is a versatile phrase used to subtly introduce a negative element into a description. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and food writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide audience, and varying its use with alternatives like "a hint of resentment" or "a tinge of acrimony" can prevent overuse and enrich your writing. Remember to use the phrase mindfully to add depth and realism to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of resentment

Focuses specifically on a feeling of injustice or displeasure.

a trace of skepticism

Indicates a slight doubt or disbelief.

a tinge of acrimony

Emphasizes sharpness and hostility in a situation or interaction.

a shade of regret

Highlights a mild feeling of sorrow or disappointment over something done or left undone.

a whisper of cynicism

Suggests a faint distrust of others' motives.

a note of irony

Implies a subtle contrast between expectation and reality, often with a humorous or sardonic undertone.

a suggestion of acerbity

Emphasizes a sharp and biting quality, often in speech or writing.

a dash of melancholy

Refers to a slight feeling of sadness or pensiveness.

a soupçon of discontent

Implies a minor feeling of dissatisfaction or unease.

a smidgen of asperity

Highlights harshness or roughness in manner or tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch of bitterness" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch of bitterness" to describe a flavor (e.g., "The chocolate had "a touch of bitterness""), an emotion (e.g., "She spoke with "a touch of bitterness" about her past"), or a situation (e.g., "There was "a touch of bitterness" to the victory because of the injuries").

What are some alternatives to "a touch of bitterness"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a hint of resentment", "a tinge of acrimony", or "a whisper of cynicism" for emotions; or describe a slightly bitter flavor.

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

Yes, "a touch of bitterness" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when aiming to convey nuance and subtle emotional undertones or complex flavors. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece to ensure it aligns with your objectives.

What's the difference between "a touch of bitterness" and "a lot of bitterness"?

"A touch of bitterness" indicates a slight amount of negativity, while "a lot of bitterness" suggests a significant or overwhelming amount of negativity. The former implies a subtle nuance, while the latter suggests a stronger, more dominant emotion or quality.