greatly embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes significant embarrassment or discomfort. Example: "For many, forgetting a close friend's birthday can be greatly embarrassing, especially if they had planned a surprise party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(The novel, which Sinclair later found greatly embarrassing, is an autobiographical account of his disastrous first marriage, which ended in 1912 when, citing his wife's adultery, he divorced her; he married his second wife in 1913; their marriage lasted until her death, in 1961).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The shame of his rejection should greatly embarrass those who voted to exclude him.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a case where the S.E.C. should have been greatly embarrassed by original settlement".

The New York Times

From Secretary General Kofi Annan on down, they were greatly embarrassed when the truth emerged.

The New York Times

The violence greatly embarrassed the academic leaders of Bir Zeit, whose new law school was financed by the French government.

The New York Times

PEKING Somebody's blunder in the State Department at Washington has greatly embarrassed the Chinese Government and cost the United States hundreds of dollars.

The New York Times

I was greatly embarrassed to discover too late that two other December puzzles appeared in the paper without my corrections to the proofs having been implemented.

The Guardian

They said that troops also raided homes and combed areas in northern Syria near the Turkish border and in central Syria looking for the attorney general, Adnan Bakkour, whose resignation greatly embarrassed the government.

The New York Times

Both episodes greatly embarrassed their schools and communities and occurred just a year after several students at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk managed to slip racially offensive and sexually suggestive references into their 2001 yearbook.

The New York Times

Their resignations were headlined in both the Times ("TWO FORSAKE ART TO FOUND A PARTY") and the Tribune ("TWO QUIT MODERN ART MUSEUM FOR SUR-REALIST POLITICAL VENTURE") and greatly embarrassed their friends.

The New Yorker

Narciso, a businessman; Argenis, an electrical engineer; Aníbal, an English teacher; and Adelis, a banker, have been characterized as a gang of sticky-fingered petty thieves whose activities have greatly embarrassed Hugo Chávez.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing reactions, use "greatly embarrassing" to denote significant shame or awkwardness felt by the affected individual.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "greatly embarrassing" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives like "very embarrassing" or "super embarrassing" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly embarrassing" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "greatly" modifies the adjective "embarrassing" to intensify its meaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and suitable for describing situations causing a notable degree of shame or awkwardness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatly embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions to emphasize the intensity of embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It finds frequent application in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, marking its applicability across diverse registers, although it may sometimes appear slightly formal in overly casual settings. When aiming to convey significant shame or awkwardness, this phrase serves as a potent and appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly embarrassing

Focuses on the high degree of embarrassment.

extremely embarrassing

Emphasizes the intensity of the embarrassment.

very embarrassing

A simpler, more direct way to express the same sentiment.

deeply embarrassing

Highlights the profound impact of the embarrassing situation.

acutely embarrassing

Indicates a sharp and intense feeling of embarrassment.

mortifying

Conveys a sense of extreme shame and humiliation.

humiliating

Focuses on the aspect of being brought low or losing dignity.

terribly embarrassing

Expresses a strong degree of embarrassment in a slightly less formal way.

painfully embarrassing

Highlights the unpleasantness and discomfort of the situation.

intensely embarrassing

Underscores the powerful feeling of embarrassment.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatly embarrassing" to describe situations or actions that cause a significant level of shame or awkwardness. For example: "The politician's scandal was "greatly embarrassing" for his party."

What are some alternatives to "greatly embarrassing"?

Alternatives include "highly embarrassing", "extremely embarrassing", or "very embarrassing" depending on the desired level of emphasis.

Is "greatly embarrassing" too formal for everyday conversation?

In some informal contexts, "greatly embarrassing" might sound slightly stilted. Consider using alternatives like "super embarrassing" or "really embarrassing" for a more relaxed tone.

What's the difference between "greatly embarrassing" and "mildly embarrassing"?

"Greatly embarrassing" indicates a significant level of shame and discomfort, whereas "mildly embarrassing" suggests a minor, less impactful feeling of awkwardness.