kind of humdrum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of humdrum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat dull or lacking excitement. Example: "The movie was kind of humdrum, failing to capture the audience's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Nujeen Mustafa lives in the kind of humdrum European suburb that most 17-year-olds could not wait to get out of.

The Guardian

International cricket has also feasted gluttonously, cramming its calendar with the kind of humdrum multiplicity – a seven-match one‑day series, a triangular tournament – from which spot-fixing sprung.

The Guardian - Sport

In another life, he was a kind of poet laureate for the garage generation — a charismatic loser, a chronicler of the kind of humdrum, weed and chicken addled life most of us lead.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It took me away from my sort of humdrum life".

The New Yorker

"It was something that took me away from my sort of humdrum life at the time.

The Guardian

In a typical year, hay can be a kind of agricultural afterthought, a humdrum staple of country life that is as plentiful as it is affordable.

The New York Times

The flavor, however, is there, and it is well preserved in Mahfouz's tightly constructed plots with their neat closures, compelling psychological portrayals and lifelike characters whose genuine passions elevate them at the moment of death to a kind of heroic status that their humdrum petit-bourgeois existence had denied them in life.

Los Angeles Times

A selection of humdrum British cheeses failed to ignite.

Independent

And there are a lot of humdrum biographies.

The New York Times

Instead, she gave this bit of humdrum news.

The Washington Post

In an age of humdrum politicians, that is also absent from Westminster.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of humdrum" when you want to subtly downplay the excitement or interest level of something. It suggests something is ordinary without being overly negative.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of humdrum" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound monotonous. Vary your vocabulary to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of humdrum" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that modifies a noun. It indicates that something is somewhat dull, ordinary, or lacking excitement. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in describing everyday life and routines.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of humdrum" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that expresses a mild degree of dullness or lack of excitement. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides examples demonstrating its usage in describing ordinary or unexciting aspects of life. When using this expression, consider its subtly negative connotation and whether a more precise alternative might better suit your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat mundane

Focuses on the ordinariness and lack of special qualities.

slightly unexciting

Highlights the lack of excitement or thrill.

moderately dull

Emphasizes the lack of interest or stimulation.

a bit routine

Indicates a lack of variation and predictability.

sort of ordinary

Highlights the commonness and lack of distinction.

relatively commonplace

Focuses on the frequency and lack of uniqueness.

mildly prosaic

Emphasizes the lack of poetic or imaginative qualities.

rather uneventful

Highlights the absence of significant or exciting events.

somewhat pedestrian

Indicates a lack of imagination or inspiration.

slightly unremarkable

Emphasizes the lack of notable or distinctive features.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of humdrum" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of humdrum" to describe things that are somewhat dull or lacking excitement. For example, "The movie was "somewhat mundane", failing to capture the audience's attention."

What's a more formal alternative to "kind of humdrum"?

More formal alternatives include "relatively commonplace" or "mildly prosaic", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "kind of humdrum" grammatically correct?

Yes, "kind of humdrum" is grammatically correct and usable in written English, as stated by Ludwig AI.

What are some other ways to say something is "kind of humdrum"?

You could also say something is "slightly unexciting", "a bit routine", or "sort of ordinary".