i was kinda

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "i was kinda" is informal but can be used in written English, particularly in casual contexts.
It is typically used to express a mild or vague degree of something, often in a conversational tone. Example: "I was kinda tired after the long meeting, but I managed to stay focused."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I was kinda hoping you'd stopped stalking me".

The New York Times - Books

"At first, I was kinda" — the customer left an unimpressed silence.

The New Yorker

But I had these songs and I was kinda hot to go on the road again".

The Guardian - Music

"At first, I was kinda"—the customer left an unimpressed silence.

The New Yorker

There's one song that I was kinda, uh …" – Clarkson pauses delicately – "but it's not a bad song.

The Guardian - Music

I knew other people were auditioning who I'd lost out to before, so I was kinda like, ahhh, fuck this".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I'm kinda quirky.

Independent

I'm kinda DIY".

The New York Times

"I'm kinda shitty, kinda sad," she said.

The New Yorker

"I'm kinda disappointed in you, Mr. Senator.

The New York Times

'In which case I'm kinda screwed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i was kinda" in informal writing or speech to express a feeling or state in a relaxed, conversational manner. It's suitable for personal blogs, casual emails, or spoken dialogue where formality is not required.

Common error

Avoid using "i was kinda" in formal writing such as academic papers, business reports, or official correspondence. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "i was somewhat" or "i was a little" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was kinda" functions as an informal expression to indicate a mild or moderate degree of a feeling, state, or action. As Ludwig AI shows, it's primarily used in conversational contexts to soften statements or express uncertainty. Example: "I was kinda hoping you'd stopped stalking me."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i was kinda" is a very common informal phrase used to express a mild or moderate degree of a feeling or state. As Ludwig AI shows, it is grammatically acceptable in casual contexts but should be avoided in formal writing. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as on wikis and social media. For more formal communication, alternatives such as "i was somewhat" or "i was a little" are more appropriate. Overusing this phrase in a formal context should also be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was sort of

Offers a slightly more formal alternative to "kinda", conveying a similar sense of approximation.

i was a bit

Uses "a bit" to indicate a small amount or degree, similar to "a little".

i was a little

Uses "a little" to express a small degree, similar to "kinda".

i was pretty

Employs "pretty" as an adverb to suggest a moderate level or degree.

i was somewhat

Replaces "kinda" with a more formal adverb, indicating a degree or extent.

i was quite

Replaces "kinda" with "quite", offering a slightly more emphatic expression of degree.

i was rather

Substitutes "kinda" with "rather", indicating a moderate degree or preference.

i felt like

Indicates a subjective feeling or impression, similar to expressing a state of mind.

i had the impression

Communicates a feeling or sense about something, implying a subjective assessment.

i was almost

Suggests nearing a particular state or condition without fully reaching it.

FAQs

What does "i was kinda" mean?

The phrase "i was kinda" is an informal way of saying "i was somewhat", "i was a little", or "i was sort of". It expresses a mild degree of a feeling or state.

When is it appropriate to use "i was kinda"?

It's appropriate to use "i was kinda" in informal settings like casual conversations, personal emails, and informal writing. Avoid it in formal or professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "i was kinda"?

You can use alternatives like "i was somewhat", "i was a little", or "i was sort of" depending on the context.

Is "i was kinda" grammatically correct?

While not considered standard English, "i was kinda" is commonly used and understood in informal speech and writing. It's generally acceptable in casual communication but not in formal writing.