awfully sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively sweet, either literally in taste or figuratively in terms of behavior or sentiment. Example: "Her gesture of kindness was awfully sweet, making everyone feel appreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You're awfully sweet," she said, her voice tinged with regret.

The New York Times

It's an awfully sweet way of telling someone to calm the hell down.

The New Yorker

Arlene and Terry found love in the chaos, which was awfully sweet.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The sun shines unrelentingly, and the people are awfully sweet — everyone, that is, except for Jane Fonda, who, in a misguided "comeback," gives an embarrassing performance as a virago.

The New Yorker

And anyway, the second half of the film is largely given over to the psychosexual exploits of Jeanne and her devil friend, who even in his final form retains a phallic hairdo and tells Jeanne, "You are even more beautiful than God," which I think is an awfully sweet thing to say.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Though they seem awfully fresh.

Huffington Post

FOR a person with so emphatic a sweet tooth, I'm awfully blasé when it comes to dessert.

The New York Times - Food

Besides being sweet, the dishes can be awfully busy.

The New Yorker

Those short, simple and ultimately so sweet passes of 2013 would look awfully good right now.

The Guardian - Sport

"She looks at you in that sweet earnest way, and it's awfully hard not to think you're the only person of real intelligence she's spoken to in years".

The New Yorker

Cast an actor at the sweet spot in his career as a suitably illustrious historical figure in a digestible Hollywood biopic and it's awfully hard to escape the Academy's notice.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully sweet" to express genuine appreciation or to describe something that is excessively pleasing. Ensure the context aligns with the mildly informal tone of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully sweet" in formal or professional settings. While the phrase is acceptable, it can sound too informal or even condescending in contexts that demand a more serious tone. Instead, opt for alternatives like "exceptionally gracious" or "genuinely kind-hearted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully sweet" functions as an intensifier (awfully) modifying an adjective (sweet). Ludwig shows that it expresses a heightened degree of the quality described by the adjective, indicating something is exceptionally kind or pleasant. The phrase adds emphasis to the positive attribute.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awfully sweet" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, primarily used to express appreciation or admiration in mildly informal contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media sources. While it is acceptable, care should be taken to avoid overusing it in formal settings, where alternatives like "exceptionally gracious" may be more appropriate. Understanding its nuance and context will help writers use it effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely kind

Emphasizes the kindness aspect more directly, replacing the adverb "awfully" with "extremely" for intensity.

exceptionally gracious

Highlights the courtesy and politeness, offering a more formal alternative.

incredibly thoughtful

Focuses on the consideration and care shown, changing the adjective while keeping a similar intensity.

remarkably considerate

Similar to "incredibly thoughtful" but uses a different adverb and adjective combination.

terribly nice

Uses "terribly" as an intensifier, maintaining a similar informal tone.

really lovely

Substitutes "sweet" with "lovely", offering a slightly different flavor of positive sentiment.

genuinely kind-hearted

Emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the kindness, providing a more emphatic alternative.

perfectly delightful

Shifts the focus to the overall pleasantness and charm.

wonderfully amiable

Highlights the friendliness and good nature, changing both the adverb and the adjective.

unusually pleasant

Focuses on the agreeableness and positive nature of the subject.

FAQs

What does "awfully sweet" mean?

"Awfully sweet" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone or something that is excessively pleasing, kind, or agreeable. It's a mildly informal way of expressing appreciation or admiration.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "awfully sweet"?

It is appropriate to use "awfully sweet" in casual conversations, informal writing, or when expressing genuine appreciation in a personal context. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings where a more serious or respectful tone is required.

What can I say instead of "awfully sweet"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely kind", "exceptionally gracious", or "incredibly thoughtful" depending on the context.

Is "awfully sweet" the same as "very sweet"?

While both phrases convey a similar sentiment, "awfully sweet" often implies a slightly higher degree of intensity or a more informal and colloquial expression of appreciation compared to the more neutral "very sweet".