dabbled with

USAGE SUMMARY

"dabbled with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has done something for a short amount of time or with some level of expertise. For example, "She dabbled with painting for a few months before deciding to pursue it more seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He also dabbled with heroin.

Independent

He also dabbled with the theatre.

Independent

Sony in the past dabbled with it.

The Guardian

But he dabbled with Democrats, too.

The New York Times

Sotheby's and Christie's have dabbled with dealerships for years.

The New York Times - Arts

It still denies publicly that it has dabbled with uranium.

The Economist

"I dabbled with anarchism when I was young.

Independent

Several of Mr. Perez's students first dabbled with ballroom styles.

The New York Times

She has dabbled with the piano, she has dabbled with the guitar but it is her voice that is her forte".

The Guardian

This time lace-veiled eyes and sheer-stocking boots dabbled with the art of darkness.

The New York Times

I've intermittently dabbled with optimism in the past, and it's never ended well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dabbled with" to convey a sense of casual or non-committal experimentation. It's ideal for describing preliminary explorations without deep involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "dabbled with" when describing sustained, serious efforts. This phrase is best suited for portraying brief or unserious attempts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dabbled with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a superficial or experimental engagement with a particular activity, subject, or substance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dabbled with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It describes a casual or experimental engagement with something, lacking deep commitment or expertise. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, remember to use it when wanting to convey the lack of seriousness about an specific subject. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""experimented with"" or "tried briefly" for similar, yet subtly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Experimented with

Focuses more on active testing and exploration, implying a slightly more deliberate approach than casual dabbling.

Played around with

Implies a lighthearted, less serious approach to trying something out.

Tried briefly

Highlights the short duration of the engagement.

Fiddled with

Suggests a more hands-on, often tentative or exploratory interaction.

Toyed with

Implies a lack of serious intent; treating something as a pastime.

Ventured into

Implies taking a risk or trying something new, with a sense of exploration.

Sampled

Indicates trying a small portion or experience of something.

Had a go at

Informal way of saying someone tried something.

Checked out

Suggests a brief, investigative look or try.

Skimmed the surface of

Indicates a superficial engagement without deep involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "dabbled with" in a sentence?

You can use "dabbled with" to indicate a casual or brief involvement in something. For example, "She "experimented with" various hobbies before finding her passion".

What are some alternatives to saying "dabbled with"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "tried briefly", ""experimented with"", or "played around with".

Is it correct to use "dabbled with" in formal writing?

While "dabbled with" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal contexts, more precise language like "briefly explored" or ""experimented with"" may be preferable.

What's the difference between "dabbled with" and "mastered"?

"Dabbled with" implies a superficial or introductory experience, while "mastered" indicates a high level of skill and proficiency. You might say someone "dabbled with" coding before eventually mastering it.