is sort of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is sort of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a degree of uncertainty or to soften a statement, often implying that something is not entirely one way or another. Example: "The movie is sort of entertaining, but it could have been better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is sort of disturbing.

The New York Times

Which is sort of depressing.

The Guardian

That is sort of interesting.

The New Yorker

This is sort of true.

The New York Times

Everyone is sort of backtracking.

The New York Times

And he is, sort of.

The New York Times

Everything is sort of theatrical.

The New York Times - Arts

And it is — sort of.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is sort of a war.

The New York Times

This is sort of a unique suburb.

The New York Times

"It is sort of a red flag".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is sort of" to soften claims or express uncertainty when you don't want to make an absolute statement. For instance, instead of saying "The plan is bad", try "The plan is sort of flawed" to be less direct.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "is sort of" in formal or academic writing where precision and directness are valued. Opt for more specific qualifiers like "somewhat", "partially", or "to some extent" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is sort of" functions as a qualifier or hedge, softening a statement and indicating approximation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, where the phrase precedes an adjective or noun to modulate its intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is sort of" is a versatile qualifier used to express approximation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, particularly in news and media, though it's less common in formal academic or scientific writing. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for contexts where a degree of imprecision is acceptable or even desirable. Consider alternatives like "is somewhat" or "is kind of" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is kind of

A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "is sort of" in informal contexts.

is somewhat

Indicates a moderate degree, similar to "is sort of", but may imply a slightly stronger emphasis on the degree.

is rather

Suggests a degree of something, slightly more formal than "is sort of".

is a bit

Implies a small degree or amount, similar to "is sort of" but often used for understatement.

is to some extent

Formally indicates that something is true or applicable partially.

is partially

Directly states that something is not complete or total.

is moderately

Indicates a medium degree of something, more formal and precise.

is vaguely

Suggests a lack of clarity or definition, implying uncertainty.

is approximately

Used when providing an estimate or near value, focusing on numerical nearness.

is relatively

Indicates a comparison with something else, suggesting a proportional degree.

FAQs

How can I use "is sort of" in a sentence?

The phrase "is sort of" is used to express that something is true or accurate to a limited extent. For example, "The movie "is sort of interesting", but not great" indicates the movie has some interesting qualities without being exceptionally good.

What can I say instead of "is sort of"?

You can use alternatives like "is somewhat", "is kind of", or "is relatively" depending on the context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "is sort of"?

Yes, the phrase "is sort of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. However, it's more appropriate for informal contexts and should be used sparingly in formal writing.

What's the difference between "is sort of" and "is quite"?

While both phrases express a degree of something, "is sort of" implies a lesser degree or more uncertainty than "is quite". "Is quite" suggests a noticeable degree, while "is sort of" suggests a mild or indefinite degree.