kind of selfish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of selfish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that exhibits a moderate level of selfishness, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "I think it's kind of selfish to always prioritize your own needs over others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We're kind of selfish that way".

The New York Times

Now, that sounds kind of selfish in a sense.

Yale University

That sounds as if Romney believes old people are kind of selfish.

The New York Times

He added, "It was kind of selfish, but I wasn't doing it for gain".

The New York Times

But that kind of selfish indulgence just isn't an option anymore.

The New York Times - Magazine

Who, one would like to know, is responsible for creating the kind of selfish society we now inhabit?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Yet in an extreme example of moral exclusion, none of the students discussed this impact on others". Recognizing these kinds of selfish evasions in oneself is hardly proof of moral collapse, psychologists say.

The New York Times - Health

"The interest in these games in computer science arose from modeling the modern, interconnected world, where my computer interacts with the internet and your computer does, too, and we need to think of computers making these kinds of selfish decisions," Tardos says.

Cornell University

In essence, there are two kinds of Selfish that can find their roots in Rand's writings.

Huffington Post

The parade of G.O.P. elected officials huddling around Trump's lamp in Cleveland made political sense, even if it required a kind of craven, selfish logic to understand.

The New Yorker

"It's a very kind of personal, selfish thing to do," Audubon's Mr. Green says.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of selfish" to soften the criticism when you want to express that someone is acting selfishly, but you don't want to sound too harsh. It implies a mild or moderate degree of selfishness.

Common error

While "kind of selfish" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "somewhat self-centered" or "rather self-serving" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of selfish" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating a degree of the characteristic "selfishness". Ludwig examples show its use in softening judgments, aligning with Ludwig AI’s assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

18%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of selfish" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a moderate level of selfishness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is often used to soften criticism or express a nuanced opinion. While acceptable in most contexts, it's best to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. Its frequent appearance in news and media, as shown in Ludwig, highlights its use in everyday language. When striving for clarity and precision, it's important to consider the subtle differences between "kind of selfish" and its related phrases, and adjust your language to accurately convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat self-centered

Replaces "selfish" with "self-centered" and "kind of" with "somewhat", providing a slightly more clinical tone.

a bit egotistical

Substitutes "selfish" with "egotistical" and "kind of" with "a bit", emphasizing vanity or inflated self-importance.

slightly self-absorbed

Replaces "selfish" with "self-absorbed" and "kind of" with "slightly", highlighting preoccupation with oneself.

rather self-serving

Uses "self-serving" instead of "selfish" and "rather" for "kind of", indicating prioritization of one's own interests.

marginally inconsiderate

Employs "inconsiderate" instead of "selfish" and "marginally" for "kind of", focusing on a lack of consideration for others.

a touch egocentric

Switches to "egocentric" from "selfish" and "a touch" from "kind of", emphasizing a limited perspective centered on the self.

mildly self-seeking

Uses "self-seeking" to replace "selfish" and "mildly" for "kind of", suggesting a subtle pursuit of personal gain.

somewhat inward-looking

Replaces "selfish" with "inward-looking" and "kind of" with "somewhat", referring to introspection and self-reflection.

a little narcissistic

Replaces "selfish" with "narcissistic" and "kind of" with "a little", implying excessive admiration of oneself.

slightly ego-driven

Substitutes "selfish" with "ego-driven" and "slightly" for "kind of", highlighting the role of ego in motivating behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "kind of selfish" to describe actions or behaviors that prioritize one's own needs over others, but not to an extreme degree. For example: "It was "kind of selfish" of him to eat the last slice of pizza without asking if anyone else wanted it."

What can I say instead of "kind of selfish"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat self-centered", "a bit egotistical", or "slightly self-absorbed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of selfish"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Kind of" is an informal way to indicate a degree or extent, and it's commonly used with adjectives like "selfish".

What's the difference between "kind of selfish" and "very selfish"?

"Kind of selfish" implies a mild or moderate level of selfishness, while "very selfish" indicates a much stronger degree of selfishness. The former is often used to soften the criticism, while the latter is a more direct and forceful assessment.