kind of slow

USAGE SUMMARY

"kind of slow" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to describe something, such as an action, process, or phenomenon that is occurring at a rate that is notably lower than normal or expected. For example: "The computer was kind of slow today, so my work took longer than usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's kind of slow".

The New York Times

"It's actually got kind of slow.

The New York Times

The drawdown was kind of slow sometimes.

The New Yorker

Dick said, "Kind of slow around here".

The New Yorker

"I'm kind of slow," Mr. Mazurek said.

The New York Times - Arts

The new year started kind of slow.

The New York Times

Instead, there is a kind of slow decay.

The Guardian

I'll just get my work in and take it kind of slow".

The New York Times - Sports

I just got a new Windows 7 computer and it already seems kind of slow.

The New York Times

"I saw Molina walk out there, a kind of slow jog," Napoli said.

The New York Times - Sports

That kind of slow death over a period of time people sort of ignore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of slow" to describe situations where something is slower than expected but not critically so. It's suitable for casual conversation and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of slow" in formal or professional settings where more precise language is appropriate. Instead, opt for alternatives like "moderately slow" or "slightly delayed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of slow" functions as an adjectival modifier, qualifying nouns or pronouns by indicating a moderate degree of reduced speed or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of slow" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is moderately slow. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s suitable for informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it should be used cautiously in formal settings, where more precise alternatives might be preferable. Alternatives such as "somewhat slow" or "slightly slow" can provide a similar meaning with minor variations in tone. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the audience and the overall level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat slow

Replaces "kind of" with "somewhat", maintaining a similar level of understatement.

a bit slow

Substitutes "kind of" with "a bit", offering a slightly more informal tone.

rather slow

Uses "rather" instead of "kind of", suggesting a slightly more noticeable degree of slowness.

slightly slow

Replaces "kind of" with "slightly", indicating a minor degree of slowness.

moderately slow

Employs "moderately" to convey a more measured and less colloquial sense of slowness.

somewhat sluggish

Replaces "slow" with "sluggish", suggesting a lack of energy in addition to slowness.

a touch slow

Uses "a touch" instead of "kind of", implying a subtle degree of slowness.

not very fast

Offers a more literal alternative, focusing on the absence of speed.

a little behind

Indicates being slow in terms of progress or schedule rather than speed.

creeping along

Uses a more figurative expression to describe slow movement.

FAQs

What does "kind of slow" mean?

The phrase "kind of slow" generally means something is moving or progressing at a pace that is less fast than usual or expected. It implies a moderate degree of slowness.

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

You can use alternatives like "somewhat slow", "a bit slow", or "slightly slow" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "kind of slow" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of slow" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives such as "moderately slow" or "somewhat delayed".

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

You can use "kind of slow" to describe various situations. For instance, "The internet is "kind of slow" today", or "Business has been "kind of slow" this week".