it is rather embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a feeling of discomfort or awkwardness about a situation. Example: "When I realized I had forgotten my best friend's birthday, it is rather embarrassing to admit that I lost track of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is rather embarrassing, then, that the European Commission chose this time of crisis to file a lawsuit against the German government for its protection of VW.

The Economist

It is rather embarrassing to know that a system which can send men safely to the moon and back can't send a man to the store for a quart of milk a snowstorm and be sure either that he will get the milk or get home safely.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was rather embarrassing.

The Guardian - Music

It's rather embarrassing to look at his later credits, because they are yea-saying movies — decrepit "family pictures" like "The Enchanted Cottage" and "The Spanish Main".

The New Yorker

"It was rather embarrassing that the elections took place on 24 and 25 February; in the Vatican the sede vacante started on 28 February.

The Guardian

I'd somehow caught a terrible cold during the previous 24 hours, and it was rather embarrassing to arrive at a stranger's house with a continually dripping nose, and halfway through my stock of Malaysian loo roll.

The Guardian - Travel

"You know, it's rather embarrassing to admit this, but I was watching a documentary about the effect of global warming and the imminent destruction of the planet, and my first thought was: 'What will happen to Shakespeare?'" Shapiro would doubtless have some psychological explanation for this.

The Guardian

When nothing happened, I didn't feel guilty about it.' While he concedes that 'it's rather embarrassing that The Other Garden remains my only novel', he also likes 'sitting still' far too much to do anything about it.

The Guardian - Books

This is rather embarrassing for the World Bank since almost a third of its aid goes on projects to boost local governance or is distributed through local bodies.

The Economist

Board members may never have met any patients, so it would be rather embarrassing to ask them.

The Guardian

Windows users hardly flocked to use the early versions of Internet Explorer, and its first reviews were rather embarrassing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is rather embarrassing" to express mild discomfort or awkwardness about a situation, without implying severe shame or humiliation.

Common error

Avoid using "it is rather embarrassing" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with alternatives like "it is quite awkward" or "it is somewhat humiliating" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather embarrassing" functions as an evaluative expression, used to convey a subjective assessment of a situation as causing a degree of discomfort or awkwardness. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is rather embarrassing" is a versatile expression used to convey a moderate feeling of discomfort or awkwardness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in news and media, with some occurrences in academic and scientific writing. While suitable for many situations, consider substituting it with alternatives like "it is quite humiliating" or it is a bit awkward to precisely match the intended nuance in your writing. Be mindful of overuse and avoid in very formal business letters, if you have some concern about formality you can rephrase the entire sentence instead of just replace the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is quite humiliating

Emphasizes the feeling of being humbled or disgraced, suggesting a stronger emotional impact than the original phrase.

It is slightly mortifying

Implies a feeling of extreme embarrassment that can be difficult to cope with, suggesting a more intense emotional response.

It is somewhat shameful

Highlights the aspect of feeling guilty or regretful about something, adding a moral dimension.

It's a little humiliating

More colloquial alternative conveying the same meaning.

It is a bit awkward

Focuses on the uncomfortable or clumsy nature of the situation, downplaying the emotional intensity.

It's a tad humiliating

Uses "tad" to indicate a slight degree of humiliation, making it milder.

It is pretty awkward

A more informal way to describe an uncomfortable situation.

It is a source of some discomfiture

More formal and polite alternative.

It's kind of cringe-worthy

This alternative suggests the situation evokes a physical reaction of discomfort or disgust.

It's a bit of a facepalm moment

Expresses a feeling of foolishness or stupidity, often in response to one's own actions or the actions of others.

FAQs

How can I use "it is rather embarrassing" in a sentence?

Use "it is rather embarrassing" to describe situations that cause mild discomfort or awkwardness. For instance, "It is rather embarrassing to admit I forgot our anniversary."

What's the difference between "it is rather embarrassing" and "it is very embarrassing"?

"It is rather embarrassing" suggests a milder feeling of discomfort compared to "it is very embarrassing", which indicates a stronger emotional response.

Are there more formal alternatives to "it is rather embarrassing"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "it is somewhat humiliating" or "it is a source of some discomfiture".

Can I use "it is rather embarrassing" in professional writing?

While acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal settings, "it is somewhat humiliating" or "it is a bit awkward" might be more appropriate, depending on the severity of the situation.