it is very tempting

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is very tempting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that there is a powerful desire or urge to do something. Example: "The offer to get a free gift card when I purchase the new phone is very tempting, but I'm not sure I have the money for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

As bread, it is very tempting.

The New York Times - Arts

It is very tempting to use the movie's pounding pop anthem — "Everything Is Awesome" — to put this insane sensory experience into sound-bite perspective.

Los Angeles Times

It is very tempting to think about opening another location, and we have crunched the numbers.

The New York Times

It is very tempting to read the human history of Nizamuddin, and in fact all of India, in "The Wildings".

The New York Times

As with all mental health problems, it is very tempting to try to explain the apparently inexplicable in this way.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is very tempting to think that any knowledge of other people's mental states has to be derived from a more immediate awareness of one's own mental states.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's very tempting.

The Guardian

It's got to the stage where I try not to, but it's very tempting.

The Guardian - Music

But if you're a single-laptop user, it's very tempting.

TechCrunch

And, I'll be honest here, it was very tempting.

Vice

But when I think about where I want to be in 40 years, it's like, "Do I want to be happily married with my own children with the person I made those children with?" It's very tempting.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is very tempting" when you want to acknowledge the strong appeal or allure of something, even if you ultimately decide against it. This shows awareness of the attractiveness of the option.

Common error

Avoid using "it is very tempting" repeatedly without providing context or consequences. Ensure you explain why something is tempting and what factors prevent you from acting on that temptation to maintain clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is very tempting" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing the speaker's perception of something as alluring or desirable. It's used to acknowledge the appeal of a particular option or course of action, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is very tempting" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the strong appeal or desirability of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as an evaluative statement conveying a feeling of attraction and is applicable in various contexts, with a neutral register. While predominantly found in news media and scientific sources, it can be used across different writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context and reasons to maintain clarity. Consider exploring alternatives such as "it is highly tempting" or "it's hard to resist" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is highly tempting

Changes the intensifier from "very" to "highly", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of temptation.

it is incredibly tempting

Emphasizes the degree of temptation by using "incredibly" instead of "very".

it is quite tempting

Replaces "very" with "quite", indicating a noticeable but perhaps not overwhelming level of temptation.

it is awfully tempting

Substitutes "very" with "awfully", implying a strong and perhaps slightly negative connotation of temptation.

it is undeniably tempting

Highlights the certainty of the temptation, suggesting it is impossible to deny its allure.

it's almost irresistible

Suggests the temptation is so strong that it is nearly impossible to withstand.

the temptation is great

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the magnitude of the temptation itself.

the allure is strong

Shifts the focus to the strength of the allure rather than directly stating the temptation.

it's hard to resist

Focuses on the difficulty of opposing the temptation, implying a strong urge.

yielding seems inevitable

Implies that succumbing to the temptation is highly likely.

FAQs

How can I use "it is very tempting" in a sentence?

You can use "it is very tempting" to express that something is appealing or desirable. For example, "It is very tempting to skip the gym and eat pizza, but I know I'll feel better if I exercise".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is very tempting"?

You can use alternatives like "it is highly tempting", "it is quite tempting", or "it's hard to resist" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is very tempting" formal or informal?

"It is very tempting" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific context of the writing will determine its appropriateness.

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

The addition of "very" in "it is very tempting" intensifies the feeling of temptation, making it stronger than simply saying "it is tempting".