more than gently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than gently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is performed with a degree of force or intensity that exceeds a gentle approach. Example: "She pushed the door more than gently, causing it to swing open with a loud creak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though his family's newspaper, Il Giornale, is critical of the government, Mr Berlusconi himself is seldom more than gently disapproving.

The Economist

Worse, Sykes, a Vogue editor and a socialite herself, refuses to do more than gently critique her world.

The New York Times - Books

But it is apparent that Iyer wishes to do more than gently usher Macmillan and Camilla toward a Sufi-style redemption: the letting go of fears and certainties and the embracing of passionate love and ambiguity.

The New York Times - Books

Both the kids and parents should be used to this sort of thing, so there's no need to do more than gently return them to their original state or leader.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It may not be cheaper, but certainly more comfortable than gently nursing a quickly cooling cup of coffee for several hours in order to use a café's free Wi-Fi.

The Economist

Married couples who are hostile when they fight, for instance, are more likely than gently scrapping spouses to have compromised immune functioning, elevated coronary calcium levels (an early risk factor for heart disease), and slow wound healing.

The New York Times

The whole may not add up to much more than a gently absurdist evocation of mood.

The Guardian

I was pretty darn pleased with myself, though I had done nothing more than brake gently (it parks really fast) and pull forward at the end to even the spaces in front and behind.

The New York Times

But watching 17 minutes of footage from the film, that were screened to UK bloggers and journalists on Tuesday, it soon became apparent that the latest movie from the Disney-owned Marvel Studios is more than just gently offbeat: it appears to be an entirely new kind of superhero movie – with no discernible superheroes.

The Guardian - Film

"Over the course of seven years," says co-founder Shelly Lipton, "along with my daughter Sasha (who's the other co-founder), we've collected, re-purposed and distributed more than 150,000 gently used plastic toys to children in need".

Huffington Post

For the rest of the week we had easy, sun-filled days, skiing no more than 15km over gently rolling ground.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than gently", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it a slight increase in force, a change in attitude, or something else? Choose the phrase that best reflects your intent.

Common error

Avoid using "more than gently" when a gentler action would be more appropriate or effective. Overstating the contrast can create unintended effects in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than gently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly in describing actions exceeding a gentle approach.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than gently" serves as an adverbial modifier indicating that an action is performed with a degree of force exceeding gentleness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its frequency is rare. It's generally suitable for neutral contexts like news and descriptive writing. When using this phrase, consider if the level of intensity accurately represents the action you intend to describe. Alternatives like "somewhat forcefully" or "slightly harder" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly harder

This indicates a marginal increase in the effort applied compared to gentleness.

a touch more firmly

Emphasizes the increased steadiness and resolution in the action.

with a bit more pressure

Indicates that the action involves applying slightly increased force.

somewhat forcefully

This alternative changes the tone from exceeding gentleness to applying a definite, though not extreme, force.

with increased intensity

Stresses the higher degree of strength or energy involved.

rather vigorously

This suggests an energetic or spirited action beyond gentleness.

more emphatically

Highlights the increased expressiveness or insistence in the action.

with more impetus

Focuses on the increased momentum or driving force behind the action.

more assertively

Shifts the focus to a confident and forceful action, contrasting with gentleness.

beyond a mere caress

This alternative emphasizes a move away from a gentle touch to something more substantial.

FAQs

How can I use "more than gently" in a sentence?

The phrase "more than gently" can be used to describe an action that is performed with a degree of force or intensity exceeding a gentle approach. For example, "She pushed the door "more than gently", causing it to swing open with a loud creak."

What are some alternatives to "more than gently"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "somewhat forcefully", "rather vigorously", or "slightly harder".

Is it always appropriate to use "more than gently"?

While grammatically correct, the appropriateness of using "more than gently" depends on the specific context. Consider whether a gentler action would be more suitable or if a stronger term would be more accurate.

What is the difference between ""more than gently"" and "slightly harder"?

"More than gently" implies a departure from gentleness, while "slightly harder" suggests a marginal increase in effort. The choice depends on the degree of force or intensity you wish to convey.