in a soft way

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a soft way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was done quietly, or in a gentle manner. For example: She whispered her secret to me in a soft way.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's knowledge, but presented in a soft way".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a neat and simple approach, but it was also devastating in a soft way.

The New York Times - Sports

And we, in a soft way, using the appropriate diplomacy, reach out to them and say: Hey, we want to get across the following messages.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We did not see the large companies wanting to advertise to kids in a soft way at the bottom of the page," he said.

The New York Times

"I think Suleiman will try to do it in a soft way, if you want," said Mr. Muasher, now a Middle East specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington.

The New York Times

He could make the simplest common chord ring in a way that no other was able, either in a soft way, as in his work Funeral Ikos, or in a brilliant way, as in the wonderful Magnificat that he wrote for the choir of King's College, Cambridge.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Suzuki, who is batting.353 with 6 homers, 58 R.B.I. and 37 stolen bases, tortures pitchers in a softer way.

The New York Times - Sports

In the future, we plan to use the precedence information in a softer way, deferring instead of pruning away the services that do not have all of their required services fulfilled.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Instead, try using "and" -- it allows you to say the same thing in a softer way.

Huffington Post

So rather than giving them a kick where you might think, I believe in doing it in a softer way.

Huffington Post

Overlooking that Gibbs was equating reporters with flies, I quibbled with the premise that a fly swatter is in fact a softer way to engage — the fly usually dies, after all.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for subtlety or diplomacy in communication, consider using "in a soft way" to convey your message without being overly direct or forceful.

Common error

While "in a soft way" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated adverbs like "gently" or "subtly" to enhance clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a soft way" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed, indicating gentleness, subtlety, or lack of force. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from describing musical performance to political strategy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a soft way" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that describes the manner of an action, indicating gentleness or subtlety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression. While it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it's most frequently found in news and media. Although "in a soft way" is generally acceptable, it is important to think about using a single word adverb such as gently, subtly, delicately or mildly, in formal writing contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "in a soft way" to convey your intended meaning with nuance and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a gentle manner

This alternative is a more formal and explicit way of expressing the same idea.

gently

This alternative is a single-word adverb conveying the same meaning of acting or being done in a gentle manner.

in a subtle fashion

This alternative highlights the understated and refined nature of the approach.

subtly

This alternative emphasizes the indirect or understated nature of the action.

delicately

This alternative suggests a careful and sensitive approach.

mildly

This alternative suggests a less intense or severe approach.

without being forceful

This alternative emphasizes the absence of aggression or coercion.

indirectly

This alternative is about the lack of a direct approach or method.

in a considerate way

This alternative is about acting with kindness and respect for others.

with kid gloves

This idiomatic alternative conveys handling something or someone with extreme care and gentleness.

FAQs

How can I use "in a soft way" in a sentence?

You can use "in a soft way" to describe actions performed gently or subtly. For example, "She corrected his mistake "in a soft way", so as not to embarrass him."

What phrases are similar to "in a soft way"?

Similar phrases include "gently", "subtly", or "delicately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "in a soft way" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in a soft way" might sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Consider using stronger, single-word adverbs to achieve a more concise and impactful tone.

What's the difference between "in a soft way" and "in a gentle manner"?

"In a soft way" and "in a gentle manner" are very similar. "In a gentle manner" is slightly more formal and explicit, while "in a soft way" can sometimes imply subtlety beyond mere gentleness.