kidding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kidding" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used informally to indicate that someone is joking or not being serious. Example: "I was just kidding when I said I would run a marathon without training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm kidding!

The New York Times

You must be kidding.

The New York Times

I'm kidding, of course.

The New York Times

But who are they kidding?

The Economist

At first I thought he was kidding; doing a bad imitation of an enraged, sloppy drunk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Namely the same old primal activities that people have experienced forever without kidding themselves that, if the whole charabanc were to come to a halt tomorrow, they wouldn't be a little disappointed.

The Guardian - Music

Again, it's not an excuse for violence, but we'd be kidding ourselves if we denied that our heavy alcohol consumption was unrelated to assaults of every kind.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bouncer stabbed his finger into my chest, as if I, too, was an obnoxious, lightweight drunk: I had come in with that freak and had better get that freak out of here, or we'd both be on the floor, bleeding from the mouths, no kidding.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some documentary sources suggest that a minority of societies treated two-spirit persons disrespectfully, by kidding them or discouraging children from taking on a two-spirit role.

The Guardian - Music

We weren't kidding ourselves.' It meant something in that way".

The Guardian - Music

Presumably, they were just kidding with everyone when Javier Mascherano gave the ball away inside the opening minute and then seconds later fumbled the ball out of play from a misplaced Sergio Busquets pass.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kidding" in informal contexts to indicate you're not being serious or are making a joke. It's particularly effective in casual conversations and light-hearted writing.

Common error

Avoid using "kidding" in formal or serious contexts where clarity and sincerity are paramount. Its informal nature can undermine the gravity of the situation or your message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "kidding" is as a verb form, specifically the present participle of the verb "kid". Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It often functions as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "kidding" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to convey a lack of seriousness or to indicate a joke. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and natural in English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains an informal register. Related phrases include "joking", "teasing", and "just joshing". While appropriate for casual communication, it should be used cautiously in formal contexts. Remember to consider the audience and situation to ensure the message is received as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joking

A direct synonym, indicating a lack of seriousness or playful intent.

only joking

Emphasizes that the statement was not meant to be taken seriously.

pulling your leg

An idiom meaning to deceive someone playfully.

just joshing

Another way to say "just kidding," using the synonym "joshing".

not serious

Directly states the lack of seriousness behind a statement.

teasing

Implies playful mockery or gentle harassment.

jesting

A more formal synonym for joking, often used in literary contexts.

you're joking, right

Similar to "are you serious", but more explicitly questioning whether the statement is a joke.

in jest

A formal way to express that something was said or done as a joke.

are you serious

Expresses disbelief or surprise, often implying the speaker thinks the other person is joking.

FAQs

How can I use "kidding" in a sentence?

You can use "kidding" to indicate you are joking or not being serious, as in "I'm just "joking"" or "Are you "serious"?". It's often used in informal conversations.

What's a more formal alternative to "kidding"?

For more formal settings, consider using phrases like "jesting", "not serious", or rephrasing the sentence to clearly indicate you were not being serious.

Is it appropriate to use "kidding" in professional emails?

Generally, "kidding" is too informal for professional emails unless you have a very close relationship with the recipient. In most cases, it's better to maintain a more formal and direct tone.

What's the difference between "kidding" and "teasing"?

"Kidding" typically implies a general lack of seriousness, while "teasing" suggests playful mockery or gentle harassment. The choice depends on whether you're simply joking or engaging in playful banter.