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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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gently

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is performed in a soft, mild, or careful manner. Example: "She gently placed the fragile vase on the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what does it all mean as Europe gently frazzles and David Goodhart, ex-editor of Prospect, now director of the Demos thinktank, pens an ambitious FT article (paywall) promoting a new settlement for British politics, what he calls "post-liberalism"?

News & Media

The Guardian

Some outside observers picked up on this peculiar form of pride – a kind of anti-nationalist nationalism – and gently mocked it: Timothy Garton Ash, for instance, spoke of Deutsche Industrie-Normen – a German industrial standard – in "coming to terms with the past"; others crowned the Germans "world champions in remembrance".

Stir gently with a wooden spoon, letting the mixture heat through, but stay just short of coming to a boil.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over a pan of very gently simmering water (or in a microwave, stirring between blasts).

Brush with oil all over, and sprinkle generously with za'atar, gently pressing the spices into the top of the buns.

Pour in the soy milk and soy sauce, whisk gently for a minute, then divide the mixture between four individual shallow ovenproof dishes (16cm x 12cm oval ceramic dishes work well but similar-sized round ramekins are fine); the custard should come 1cm-1.5cm up the sides.

While the police are necessarily involved with Channel, the actual process is designed to be as community-based as possible, gently nudging people back towards mainstream society rather than threatening them with retribution.

News & Media

The Guardian

Instead of stirring the rice to release its creamy starch, as one would with risotto, the grains are left alone, so "the rice retains its 'soul', its inner shape", but, "by boiling it in the right quantity of stock or water it will absorb all the liquid as it cools down gently, and by the time it is completely cold it will be very sticky".

I still dream about the sultry duck liver mousse with almond biscuits; the 'State Bird' – a quail – grilled into smokiness on its bed of gently pickled, sautéed onions and crowned with Parmesan; the smoked duck ham with umeboshi.

Mild Tourette's or a minor form of OCD can be well managed with drugs and/or behaviour therapy, but he will have to be happy to take part, and that needs you talking together gently, with tact and no sense of blame or shame.

This was then put into a vortex fluid device, where the tangled proteins were spun and gently pulled apart until they refolded into their proper structure.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gently" to describe actions that require a delicate touch or a lack of force, especially when dealing with fragile objects, sensitive situations, or emotional interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "gently" when describing actions that inherently involve force or intensity. Instead, opt for adverbs that accurately reflect the level of energy or impact involved.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

100%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The adverb "gently" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is carried out with care, mildness, or a light touch, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Lifestyle

22%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "gently" is a versatile word used to describe actions performed with care, mildness, or a light touch. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, primarily appearing in news and lifestyle content. While synonyms like "softly" and "carefully" can be used interchangeably depending on the nuance you intend to convey, it's important to avoid using "gently" in contexts that imply force. Overall, understanding the subtle connotations of "gently" will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

FAQs

How can I use "gently" in a sentence?

"Gently" is used to describe an action performed with care or mildness. For example, "She "gently" placed the baby in the crib" or "He "gently" corrected her mistake."

What are some alternatives to the word "gently"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "softly", "carefully", or "mildly" instead of "gently".

Is there a difference between "gently" and "delicately"?

While both imply care, "gently" suggests a mild action, whereas "delicately" emphasizes fragility or intricacy. You'd "gently" stir a sauce, but you'd "delicately" handle a rare artifact.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "gently"?

It's inappropriate to use "gently" when describing actions that involve force or intensity. For example, you wouldn't say someone "gently" slammed a door.

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Most frequent sentences: