enormously embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enormously embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes a significant amount of embarrassment. Example: "When I tripped and fell in front of everyone at the party, it was enormously embarrassing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The development has been enormously embarrassing for the agency, which is still struggling to rebuild its reputation after its universally criticized response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The New York Times

On the other hand, it would be enormously embarrassing for Myanmar's internationally reviled and economically illiterate generals to represent South-East Asia to the world.

The Economist

Conversely, sceptics have argued that Peltier today is as much a prisoner of his supporters as he is of Leavenworth: that if less fuss had been made of him, less hope invested in what he might achieve if released, then a government anxious to put an enormously embarrassing episode behind it might have freed him long ago.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Probably embarrassing.

The New York Times

Bit embarrassing.

Independent

Or embarrassing.

The New York Times

Nothing embarrassing.

The New York Times

Nevertheless: embarrassing.

The New York Times

"So embarrassing.

The New Yorker

Mildly embarrassing.

The New Yorker

Truly embarrassing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enormously embarrassing" to describe situations that not only cause discomfort but also potentially damage reputation or self-esteem. It conveys a stronger sense of humiliation than simply "embarrassing".

Common error

Avoid using "enormously embarrassing" for minor social faux pas. Save it for situations with significant consequences, as its strength can sound hyperbolic if the situation is trivial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enormously embarrassing" functions as an intensifier + adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI indicates its use to describe situations causing a high degree of shame or discomfort, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enormously embarrassing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, classified as an adverb-adjective construction that functions to intensify the adjective "embarrassing". Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing situations that evoke considerable shame or awkwardness. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase appears primarily in news and media and scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve "enormously embarrassing" for situations with significant consequences, avoiding its use in trivial contexts to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "extremely humiliating" or "terribly mortifying" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely embarrassing

A more common and direct synonym, replacing "enormously" with "extremely".

hugely shameful

Uses "hugely" instead of "enormously", retaining the meaning of very embarrassing.

extremely humiliating

Replaces "embarrassing" with "humiliating" and "enormously" with "extremely", emphasizing the shame aspect.

remarkably embarrassing

Uses "remarkably" to express that something is noticeably embarrassing.

terribly mortifying

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "mortifying", highlighting the intense shame and loss of self-respect.

incredibly awkward

Shifts the focus from embarrassment to the feeling of social discomfort, using "incredibly" to amplify the feeling.

exceptionally awkward

Similar to 'incredibly awkward' but uses different intensifier.

profoundly shameful

Replaces "embarrassing" with "shameful", underlining the deep sense of shame associated with the situation.

really mortifying

Uses 'really' as a less formal intensifier instead of 'enormously'.

vastly disconcerting

Changes the emotion to feeling unsettled and disturbed, using "vastly" for emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "enormously embarrassing" in a sentence?

You can use "enormously embarrassing" to describe situations that cause significant shame or humiliation. For example: "The development has been "enormously embarrassing" for the agency."

What's the difference between "enormously embarrassing" and "slightly embarrassing"?

"Enormously embarrassing" describes a situation causing significant shame, while "slightly embarrassing" describes a minor, less impactful situation. The level of intensity is drastically different.

What are some alternatives to "enormously embarrassing"?

Alternatives include "extremely humiliating", "incredibly awkward", or "terribly mortifying", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "enormously embarrassing" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "enormously embarrassing" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately reflecting the gravity of a situation. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong descriptor. If the context doesn't justify, you can use another word like "very embarrassing" instead.