is somewhat unnerving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is somewhat unnerving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation or event that is not entirely alarming but still causes unease. Example: "The sudden silence in the room is somewhat unnerving, making everyone feel on edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For investors, the silence is somewhat unnerving.

The New York Times

If the sight of Van's bald patch is somewhat unnerving, Cliff's outfit is that much more so.

The Guardian - Music

This is somewhat unnerving and, it turns out, mostly rubbish: when I meet her at a hotel in London, it soon transpires that Mirren (who no longer looks at her own press) reads the Guardian every day and follows my Weekend magazine column "religiously".

The Guardian

It is somewhat unnerving being in a profession that allows you to see glimpses of what your future will hold, but that is exactly how I view teaching.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's somewhat unnerving.

Vice

"That's pretty unnerving.

The New York Times

It's slightly unnerving.

The New York Times

It was pretty unnerving.

Huffington Post

"The uncertainty is unnerving, but the not-knowing part is somewhat typical," said Jens David Ohlin, vice dean of Cornell Law School.

Vice

What links Joshua Ferris's dazzling debut novel of office politics, Then We Came To The End, with this, his somewhat unnerving second book, is an atmosphere of parable.

The Guardian - Books

Thomson proved a difficult guide, by turns informative and charming, by turns oblique and somewhat unnerving.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is somewhat unnerving" when you want to express a mild feeling of unease or discomfort without suggesting intense fear or alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "is somewhat unnerving" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of fear or danger. Using it in such cases can downplay the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is somewhat unnerving" functions as a subjective assessment, adding a layer of emotional coloring to a statement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and can be used to describe a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation or event that is not entirely alarming but still causes unease.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is somewhat unnerving" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying a mild sense of unease or discomfort. Ludwig confirms its validity, highlighting its function in adding emotional depth to descriptions. While not frequently encountered, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When a stronger expression is warranted, alternatives such as "is very unnerving" should be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat disconcerting

Substitutes 'unnerving' with 'disconcerting', keeping 'somewhat' to maintain the same level of mild disturbance.

is a little unsettling

Replaces 'somewhat unnerving' with 'a little unsettling', softening the intensity of the feeling.

is slightly disturbing

Uses 'slightly disturbing' to convey a mild sense of unease instead of 'somewhat unnerving'.

is rather disquieting

Employs 'rather disquieting' to indicate a degree of anxiety or worry similar to 'somewhat unnerving'.

is a bit creepy

Replaces 'somewhat unnerving' with 'a bit creepy', focusing on a feeling of unease related to something strange or eerie.

is mildly frightening

Uses 'mildly frightening' to express a slight sense of fear, similar to the unease conveyed by 'somewhat unnerving'.

is marginally alarming

Uses 'marginally alarming' to describe a situation causing a slight sense of fear or concern, similar to 'somewhat unnerving'.

is a tad spooky

Replaces 'somewhat unnerving' with 'a tad spooky', emphasizing a feeling of unease related to something eerie or supernatural.

is faintly unsettling

Employs 'faintly unsettling' to suggest a subtle feeling of unease, mirroring the effect of 'somewhat unnerving'.

is vaguely perturbing

Replaces 'somewhat unnerving' with 'vaguely perturbing', which suggests a slight disruption of one's composure.

FAQs

How can I use "is somewhat unnerving" in a sentence?

You can use "is somewhat unnerving" to describe situations or things that make you feel uneasy or slightly anxious. For example, "The silence in the old house is somewhat unnerving."

What can I say instead of "is somewhat unnerving"?

You can use alternatives like "is a little unsettling", "is slightly disturbing", or "is rather disquieting" depending on the context.

Is "is somewhat unnerving" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is somewhat unnerving" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to express a mild feeling of unease.

What's the difference between "is somewhat unnerving" and "is very unnerving"?

"Is somewhat unnerving" implies a mild level of unease, while "is very unnerving" suggests a much stronger and more intense feeling of discomfort or anxiety.