a touch of pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch of pride" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount or hint of pride or self-satisfaction in someone's actions or words. Example: Despite her modesty, there was a touch of pride in her voice as she accepted the award for her accomplishments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were still reading him, he said with a touch of pride".

The New Yorker

Holmes notes, with a touch of pride, "I don't speak Spanish".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're a neighborhood restaurant, too," Mr. Albrecht said with a touch of pride.

The New York Times

He added with a touch of pride, "I'm sure my father would have wanted that".

The New York Times

"Started the day in Korneuburg," we mentioned with a touch of pride.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's become a Bridgehampton landmark," Riggio said with a touch of pride.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

From this distance, I cautiously feel I'm allowed to feel a touch of paternal pride in my young self.

The Guardian - Film

A touch of personal pride for a home now hosting the fourth generation of the Hubers family: the Schooltink's 3-year-old daughter, Puk.

The New York Times

He appeared tired, but wore neither bandages nor bruises; his face was unmarked, his body unharmed, except, perhaps, for a touch of wounded pride.

The New York Times - Sports

After all, as Sunmark notes on its Web site with a touch of cultural pride, living spaces in Japan are tight, so they tend to be tidy and orderly.

The New Yorker

Dr. Wim Leemans, a physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, shows a touch of parental pride for the hulking machine he affectionately calls T-Rex — a high-intensity laser that pushes electrons around.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch of pride" to subtly indicate a positive feeling without overstating it. It's effective when acknowledging someone's accomplishments or positive attributes without sounding boastful.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch of pride" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your descriptions of positive emotions with synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of pride" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which someone expresses themselves or performs an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys a subtle hint of pride or self-satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a touch of pride" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a slight degree of self-satisfaction or accomplishment. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to modify descriptions, softening the expression of pride. Usage is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. Related phrases, such as "a hint of satisfaction", offer subtle variations in meaning, and being aware of these nuances helps writers achieve greater precision. While the phrase is effective, overuse should be avoided to prevent repetition. Finally, consider the feeling of pride you want to convey before using the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of self-satisfaction

Replaces "pride" with "self-satisfaction", emphasizing the satisfaction one feels about themselves.

a slight sense of accomplishment

Focuses on the feeling of having achieved something, rather than pride itself.

a glimmer of self-esteem

Highlights the positive feeling of self-worth.

a soupçon of self-regard

Uses a French term to suggest a subtle amount of positive self-perception.

a modicum of self-admiration

Suggests a small quantity of admiration for oneself.

a trace of smugness

Conveys a negative connotation of being overly pleased with oneself.

a nuance of self-applause

Emphasizes the act of praising oneself, but in a subtle way.

an iota of self-importance

Highlights a small degree of believing oneself to be significant.

a shade of conceit

Indicates a degree of excessive pride in oneself.

a whiff of vainglory

Implies a slight amount of excessive boasting or pride.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch of pride" to describe a subtle feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment. For instance, "She accepted the compliment with "a touch of pride".".

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

Alternatives include "a hint of satisfaction", "a slight sense of accomplishment", or "a glimmer of self-esteem", each conveying a similar but slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "a touch of pride" or "a lot of pride"?

"A touch of pride" implies a small amount of pride, while "a lot of pride" indicates a significant amount. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a touch of pride" and "a sense of pride"?

"A touch of pride" suggests a fleeting or subtle feeling, whereas "a sense of pride" implies a more sustained or substantial feeling of pride. The first suggests a hint, the second a general feeling.