awkward for him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward for him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or feeling that is uncomfortable or embarrassing for a male individual. Example: "When he realized he had forgotten her birthday, it became awkward for him during the dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Things get awkward for him as the book progresses.

The New Yorker

I'm sure it was awkward for him, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was obviously very awkward for him," Mr. Brokaw said.

The New York Times

The silence was awkward for him and beautiful for me.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a kid, he stuttered, and reading aloud is still more awkward for him than extemporizing.

The New Yorker

When he came out of jail the subject of sex was awkward for him.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It was an awkward period for him.

The Guardian - Sport

But friendship is an awkward subject for him.

The New York Times - Books

Johnson waited another awkward beat for him to answer the obvious question.

The Guardian

The line between self-promotion and secrecy was sometimes an awkward one for him to walk, especially as his underground CDs moved further into the mainstream.

The New York Times - Magazine

SUE CLEARY has approximately zero chance of unseating Major Owens, the Brooklyn congressman, but she was raising an awkward issue for him and his fellow Democrats on Wednesday afternoon in Flatbush.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing social interactions, "awkward for him" is useful to pinpoint the discomfort a male individual feels, ensuring clarity about who experiences the unease.

Common error

Ensure the awkwardness truly stems from the situation for the individual described; avoid using the phrase if the discomfort is primarily felt by observers or others involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward for him" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a situation or event to describe its effect on a male individual. As Ludwig indicates, it is a standard and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "awkward for him" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation causing discomfort or embarrassment to a male individual. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and appropriate in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight subjective unease. While "awkward for him" is versatile, alternatives such as "uncomfortable for him" or "embarrassing for him" can offer nuanced variations. Remember to ensure clarity about the individual experiencing the "awkward" feeling, avoiding ambiguity in your writing. When using the term, be sure the discomfort experienced is directly linked to that person in order to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomfortable for him

Replaces "awkward" with a direct synonym, focusing on the feeling of unease.

embarrassing for him

Substitutes "awkward" with a term that emphasizes the potential for shame or humiliation.

a source of discomfort for him

Rephrases to emphasize the origin or cause of the awkwardness.

it put him in a difficult position

Frames the situation as a predicament or dilemma.

difficult situation for him

Shifts the focus from the feeling to the external circumstances causing the discomfort.

he was uneasy

Describes the man's state of mind using a single adjective.

challenging for him

Highlights the problematic aspect of the situation.

he felt out of place

Focuses on the feeling of not belonging or being uncomfortable in the environment.

tough on him

Uses a more informal expression to convey the difficulty experienced.

trying for him

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "awkward for him" in a sentence?

Use "awkward for him" to describe situations causing a male individual discomfort or unease. For instance, "It was "uncomfortable for him" when he realized he'd worn mismatched socks to the interview".

What are some alternatives to saying "awkward for him"?

Consider using phrases like "uncomfortable for him", "embarrassing for him", or "difficult for him depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it always clear who the "him" refers to when using "awkward for him"?

For clarity, ensure the context makes it immediately obvious to whom "him" refers. If there's any ambiguity, rephrase for explicitness such as "it was awkward for John".

Can "awkward for him" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "awkward for him" is acceptable in both formal and informal writing. While it's not highly sophisticated, its straightforwardness makes it versatile. If aiming for extreme formality, consider "uncomfortable for him".