a trace of irony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of irony" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the presence of a small amount of irony. For example, you could say, "There was a trace of irony in her voice as she said goodbye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Style

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Oh it is," he said, without a trace of irony.

The New York Times - Arts

And without a trace of irony, some have responded by sending her death threats.

Independent

"We want to help make retirement and aging cool," she said, without a trace of irony.

The New York Times

"Art is about expressing feelings and passion and love," he said, without a trace of irony.

The New York Times

Without a trace of irony in his voice, he says: "Welcome to your house.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even the Hubay is rendered with neither a trace of irony nor a grain of sugar.

The New York Times - Arts

No, not at all," she replied without a trace of irony.

The New York Times - Travel

If the gods had granted her even a trace of irony, she might have been less impressed.

The New Yorker

"We all loved her," Harington wrote with just a trace of irony, "for she said she loved us".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lindy offered a sentimental rephrasing, managing to work a trace of irony into his voice: "He died for love".

The New Yorker

Elaine thought that this was really neat and repeated it to our house group without a trace of irony".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trace of irony" to subtly indicate that a statement or situation contains a small amount of irony, rather than being overtly sarcastic or cynical.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of irony" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a hint of irony" or "a touch of irony" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of irony" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes the presence, albeit minimal, of ironic sentiment or expression. Ludwig's examples show it modifying verbs of speech or description, as in "he said, without a trace of irony."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Style

7%

Less common in

Music

5%

Travel

4%

Film

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trace of irony" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a subtle presence of irony in a statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object or complement, and is used to convey that something might not be entirely sincere. While versatile, it is more suited for neutral to formal contexts and should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like ""a hint of irony"" or "a touch of irony" can offer a fresh perspective while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of irony

Emphasizes the slight and subtle nature of the irony.

a touch of irony

Highlights the delicate and understated presence of irony.

a suggestion of irony

Implies that the irony is present but not explicitly stated.

a shade of irony

Indicates a subtle degree or tinge of ironic expression.

a whisper of irony

Conveys an extremely faint and subtle presence of irony.

a glimmer of irony

Suggests a faint or fleeting appearance of irony.

an element of irony

Highlights the inclusion of irony as a component within a situation or statement.

a degree of irony

Focuses on the extent or level to which irony is present.

a note of irony

Emphasizes the subtle presence of irony as part of a communication.

a tinge of irony

Indicates a slight coloring or influence of ironic sentiment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trace of irony" to describe a situation or statement that has a subtle ironic element. For example, "There was "a trace of irony" in his voice when he said he was happy for me."

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

While both phrases are very similar, "a trace of irony" suggests an even smaller and more subtle amount of irony compared to ""a hint of irony"". The difference is a matter of degree.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to use "a trace of irony"?

Using "a trace of irony" might be inappropriate in very formal or serious contexts where any hint of sarcasm or irony could be misconstrued or considered disrespectful.

What can I say instead of "a trace of irony"?

You can use alternatives like "a touch of irony", ""a hint of irony"", or "a suggestion of irony" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.