a trace of bitterness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a trace of bitterness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, mood, or emotion where a small amount of bitterness is present. For example: "Despite the festive atmosphere, there was still a trace of bitterness as the family remembered their absent loved one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Musser went about his work without a trace of bitterness.

The New York Times

There is not a trace of bitterness in her.

The Guardian - Books

For all the hard life lessons the songs describe, LaChanze didn't display a trace of bitterness.

The New York Times - Arts

"I owe a lot to this wonderful profession and leave without a trace of bitterness.

The New York Times

Seeds can give the sauce a trace of bitterness, he said.

The New York Times - Food

"They taste smooth as silk, with just a trace of bitterness that I think is delicious".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

If they have felt fear or any trace of bitterness, anger or shame, they hid their emotions well.

Huffington Post

In 1948, after twenty-seven years with Du Pont, her father left the company ("without a pension, without anything," she said with an uncharacteristic trace of bitterness) and moved the family to Dunedin, a small town bordering Clearwater, Florida.

The New Yorker

"It's obvious mass marketing doesn't work there, but the creative ad types who push big TV campaigns still get the big bucks," says Schroer, with an uncharacteristic trace of bitterness, "That's gonna change".

Forbes

There was not a trace of anger or bitterness in his voice.

The New York Times

At the same time, she eschews high drama and unguarded emotional expression to present herself as a composed, self-reliant woman who hasn't a trace of cynicism or bitterness.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trace of bitterness" to subtly convey negative emotions without being overly dramatic. This adds nuance to your writing, allowing you to depict characters or situations with greater depth.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of bitterness" too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of bitterness" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a subtle quality or characteristic, indicating a minimal presence of negative emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trace of bitterness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase denoting a small amount of resentment or disappointment. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to subtly convey negative emotions, adding depth and nuance to writing across various registers. When writing, it is important to avoid overusing the phrase and to consider using alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement. Its presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of resentment

Focuses on the feeling of resentment rather than the broader bitterness.

a touch of acrimony

Highlights the sharpness and harshness of the bitterness.

a shade of disappointment

Emphasizes the sadness associated with the bitterness.

a tinge of cynicism

Indicates a slight inclination towards disbelief and distrust.

a whisper of resentment

Suggests a very subtle and quiet form of bitterness.

a note of regret

Highlights the element of remorse or sadness in the bitterness.

a shadow of resentment

Implies a lingering presence of negative feelings.

slight resentment

Omission of "a trace of" simplifies the phrase, making it more direct.

minimal bitterness

Replaces "a trace of" with "minimal", directly indicating a small amount.

residual resentment

Implies that the bitterness is a remaining effect of a past event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trace of bitterness" to describe a subtle feeling of resentment or disappointment. For example, "Despite her success, there was "a trace of bitterness" in her voice when she spoke about the past."

What are some synonyms for "a trace of bitterness"?

Alternatives include "a hint of resentment", "a touch of acrimony", or "a shade of disappointment", each conveying a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a trace of bitterness"?

Yes, "a trace of bitterness" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "article + noun + preposition + noun".

What's the difference between ""a trace of bitterness"" and "a hint of bitterness"?

Both phrases are very similar. "A trace" suggests a slightly smaller amount or less noticeable presence than "a hint", but they are often interchangeable.