deeply shallow

USAGE SUMMARY

"deeply shallow" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to someone or something that appears to have depth or meaning on the surface, but ultimately does not. For example, you could say "Though he claimed to have a deep understanding of the subject, his arguments were actually quite deeply shallow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They are terminally upscale, obsessively acquisitive and deeply shallow.

The New York Times

Earlier this week, she confirmed it in entertainer Em Rusciano's podcast Deeply Shallow.

The Guardian

Kathy Lette (writer) Summer is a time to get deeply shallow.

The Guardian - Books

But it is all the other things of course – deeply shallow, humiliating, sometimes even cruel, and based on absolutely nothing at all but looks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Someone so deeply shallow, so profoundly superficial, yet so painstakingly scrutinized for so long by so many reporters and gossipmongers is not a promising subject to write about -- unless, that is, she uncovers something everyone else has managed to miss.

The New York Times - Books

Partly, too, thanks to the chemistry between Greig, Mangan and Matt LeBlanc, who's playing a lightly fictionalised version of "Matt LeBlanc" – kindly, vainglorious, deeply shallow to the extent that he has drunkenly invited his crazed stalker into his bed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

If you think that the would-be New World Order has long since devolved into New World Chaos, and it has, just consider what would happen under the pathologically dishonest and erratic, deeply arrogant and profoundly shallow neo-fascist bully boy.

Huffington Post

And Michael Peavoy and Marc Elliott as the low-camp deeply-shallow princes are first class in their reprise of one of the show's finest numbers, "Agony".

Independent

And even I try not to think too deeply about shallow fare.

The New York Times

Deep or shallow?

WikiHow

Mozart's female leads here are enigmas of both shallow and deeply suffering hearts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deeply shallow" when you want to critique something that presents itself as profound or meaningful but is, in fact, superficial. This phrase is effective in highlighting the hypocrisy or lack of genuine substance.

Common error

While "deeply shallow" is acceptable in certain contexts, it may come across as too informal or judgmental in academic writing. Opt for more neutral and precise language, such as "lacking empirical support" or "conceptually underdeveloped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deeply shallow" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier, typically used to characterize a noun. It serves to highlight a contradiction or irony, indicating that something that appears profound or meaningful is, in reality, superficial. Ludwig confirms this usage with several examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deeply shallow" is a commonly used descriptor, functioning as an adjective phrase that denotes something seemingly profound but ultimately superficial. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's most frequently found in News & Media, often used to offer a critical perspective. When writing, use "deeply shallow" to highlight the contradiction of something that appears significant but lacks genuine substance. However, avoid overusing it in academic contexts, opting for more formal and precise language. Alternative phrases include "superficially profound" and "profoundly superficial", providing similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profoundly superficial

Reverses the order of modifiers, emphasizing the superficial aspect more strongly.

superficially profound

Highlights the initial impression of depth before revealing the lack thereof.

ostensibly deep but actually superficial

More explicitly spells out the contradiction, making it less concise.

apparently profound yet fundamentally shallow

Uses more formal language to describe the deceptive nature of the depth.

intellectually vacuous

Focuses on the lack of intellectual substance.

devoid of substance

General term for lacking depth or meaning.

hollow and pretentious

Highlights the emptiness and the attempt to appear important or knowledgeable.

superficial to the core

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the superficiality.

lacking in true depth

A straightforward expression of the absence of profound qualities.

ultimately trivial

Indicates that something, despite appearances, is unimportant or insignificant.

FAQs

How can I use "deeply shallow" in a sentence?

You can use "deeply shallow" to describe people, ideas, or works that present themselves as profound or meaningful but are ultimately superficial. For example, "The politician's promises seemed compelling at first, but upon closer examination, they proved to be "deeply shallow"."

What's a good alternative to "deeply shallow"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "superficially profound", "profoundly superficial", or "devoid of substance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "deeply shallow" grammatically correct?

Yes, "deeply shallow" is grammatically correct. "Deeply" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "shallow". Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several examples of its use in reputable sources.

What's the difference between "shallow" and "deeply shallow"?

"Shallow" simply means lacking depth. "Deeply shallow" suggests that something has the appearance of depth but ultimately lacks it. It implies a deceptive quality or a pretense of profundity.