found it dull

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it dull" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your opinion about something that you perceived as uninteresting or boring. Example: "After reading the book, I found it dull and lacking in excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Officer Lemagne was a notorious prankster, and friends never found it dull in his company.

The New York Times

I found it dull and visually cliched, but the crowd cheered it like a homecoming battleship.

The Guardian - Film

DeGroff, too, called it middle of the road, and Hesser found it dull around the edges.

The New York Times - Food

He found it dull, but said, years later, that "it occupied only about half of my working time and so financed the whole of my first novel".

The New Yorker

After high school, she went to college to study German, but found it dull; she enrolled instead in a theatre program at the conservatory in Bordeaux.

The New Yorker

For me, though, I wasn't quite as into Cremaster 5 as the other two, and maybe would have found it dull if it weren't for the music.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

AMY DAVIDSON Peterr, do you find it dull?

The New Yorker

You may find it dull, but it is not bad.

The Guardian

No one in particular, I just find it dull as an art form.

The Guardian

"On-demand, personalised news means that audiences can simply opt out of that shared agenda if they don't like it, can't be bothered or find it dull," she said.

The Guardian

I'm certainly not surprised people find it dull - election night in 1997 was dramatic and exciting but the month that preceded it was pretty tedious.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found it dull", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined in the context. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what you found uninteresting.

Common error

While "found it dull" is acceptable, it might sound too informal in academic or professional contexts. Consider stronger or more sophisticated vocabulary such as "uninspired", "unremarkable", or "lacking in substance" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it dull" serves as a subjective evaluation, expressing a personal perception of something lacking interest or excitement. This construction uses "find" in the past tense to indicate a completed assessment of a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found it dull" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a lack of interest or excitement. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common use in describing experiences or materials. It's considered to have a neutral register, making it appropriate for general communication, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional contexts. While Ludwig confirms that "found it dull" is a valid expression, consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought it was boring

A very common and straightforward alternative.

considered it uninteresting

Focuses on a lack of interest rather than a strong negative feeling.

perceived it as tedious

Emphasizes the monotonous and repetitive nature of the experience.

was not captivated by it

Highlights the absence of engagement or fascination.

it failed to excite me

Directly addresses the lack of excitement the subject produced.

didn't enjoy it

A more general expression of dislike, not specifically about being dull.

it didn't hold my attention

Focuses on the inability to keep the speaker's focus.

it lacked appeal

Highlights absence of subjective attraction or appreciation.

it left me cold

Suggests indifference; the subject did not elicit an emotional response.

it was a snooze-fest

An informal, emphatic way to express extreme boredom.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "found it dull" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "considered it uninspired", "judged it to be unremarkable", or "assessed it as lacking in substance".

Is "found it dull" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "found it dull" might be perceived as informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey your critique.

What's the difference between "found it dull" and "didn't enjoy it"?

"Found it dull" specifically implies a lack of excitement or interest, whereas "didn't enjoy it" is a more general expression of dislike that could stem from various reasons beyond just boredom.

Can "found it dull" be used to describe people?

Yes, but use caution. Describing a person as "dull" can be seen as harsh or impolite. Consider softer alternatives like "not particularly engaging" or "not very exciting".