mildly sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mildly sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a flavor or taste that is slightly sweet, often in the context of food or beverages. Example: "The dessert had a mildly sweet flavor that complemented the tartness of the berries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The meat was soft and mildly sweet, with the usual peppery tingle: Sichuanese steak au poivre.

The New York Times - Travel

But other mildly sweet wines operate on similar principles of balance.

The New York Times - Food

It has a mildly sweet tang, with firm pulp surrounding an edible, but bitter, seed.

The New York Times - Food

The beige result is like a liquefied pudding, mildly sweet but also slightly salty.

The Washington Post

HERMANN DONNHOFF, NAHE, OBERHAUSER LEISTENBERG, KABINETT 1998: $22 Powerful fruit flavors with mineral undercurrents, mildly sweet.

The New York Times - Food

GUNDERLOCH, RHEINHESSEN, JEAN -BAPTISTE, KABINETT 1997: $17 Subtle aromas and gravelly flavors, mildly sweet but balanced.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Her most exotic variant is tahu isi: dense tofu blocks topped with minced shrimp and chicken, then sheathed in a mildly sweet-and-sour peanut sauce.

Los Angeles Times

Perhaps if the craver satisfied the craving immediately by eating a low-calorie, mildly-sweet snack like graham crackers or licorice sticks rather than attempting to quell it with the diet beverage, the impulse to eat a fattening carbohydrate snack could have been curtailed.

Huffington Post

Best by far were tao hoo tord (crisp, lightly fried tofu triangles dipped in a mildly spiced sweet chili sauce) and kong tod (crisp shrimp with the same Thai sweet chili sauce).

The New York Times

If only the mildly spiced, sweet sauce had had a bit more zip.

The New York Times

Legend has it that in the 19th century an English officer in the Bengal Lancers created this mildly spiced sweet chutney with the help of his Bengali cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "mildly sweet" to indicate a balanced flavor profile where sweetness is present but not overwhelming other tastes.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly sweet" to describe items that are known for their strong flavors (e.g. dark chocolate). It's more appropriate for items where sweetness is a subtle component.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly sweet" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe their taste. It specifies the degree of sweetness, indicating that the item possesses a gentle or subtle sweet flavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mildly sweet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a subtle level of sweetness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate for describing food, beverages, and other items where the sweetness is present but not overpowering. Predominantly found in News & Media, "mildly sweet" serves to provide a sensory description of flavor, suitable for neutral and informal registers. When writing, ensure that you use "mildly sweet" to accurately describe items that are not intensely flavored and consider alternatives like "slightly sweet" or "faintly sweet" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly sweet

Indicates a minimal degree of sweetness, similar to "mildly sweet".

faintly sweet

Highlights the subtle and delicate nature of the sweetness.

lightly sweetened

Describes the addition of a small amount of sweetener.

subtly sweet

Emphasizes the refined and understated quality of the sweetness.

delicately sweet

Conveys a sense of elegance and refinement in the sweetness.

softly sweet

Suggests a gentle and pleasant sweetness.

barely sweet

Indicates a very minimal level of sweetness, almost imperceptible.

moderately sweet

Describes a sweetness that is present but not overpowering.

sweetish

A simple and direct way to express a slight sweetness.

somewhat sweet

Implies a noticeable, but not intense, sweet flavor.

FAQs

How can I describe something that's not very sweet?

You can use phrases like "slightly sweet", "faintly sweet", or "not too sweet" to indicate a low level of sweetness.

What's the difference between "mildly sweet" and "very sweet"?

"Mildly sweet" indicates a subtle and gentle sweetness, while "very sweet" implies a strong and intense sweetness. The key difference lies in the degree of sweetness perceived.

Is it appropriate to use "mildly sweet" to describe savory dishes?

Yes, "mildly sweet" can be used to describe savory dishes where a hint of sweetness is present to balance other flavors, such as in some sauces or marinades.

What are some foods that are typically described as "mildly sweet"?

Examples of foods often described as "mildly sweet" include certain fruits (like berries), some types of bread, and dishes with a subtly sweet sauce.