none too gently

USAGE SUMMARY

"none too gently" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that someone did in a rough, brusque manner. For example, "The guard pulled him away none too gently and threw him into the dungeon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Season's Greetings Families in Alan Ayckbourn plays tend not to hurl their distress at the heavens or blind people with wanton savagery; instead, they slowly and none too gently make one another's lives a misery.

The New York Times - Arts

For highly comic relief, there are videos by the gifted performance artist Michael Smith, whose "Baby Ikki" (1978) cast him as a diapered tyke crawling on a sidewalk and toddling out into traffic in lower Manhattan, to the amusement of passersby and the dudgeon of a police officer obliged to hustle him — none too gently — out of harm's way.

The New Yorker

The next thing I heard was a scuffle between the golfer and Noh Chin's goons, who were attempting, none too gently, to remove him.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Yet when Pio D'Emilia, a correspondent for an Italian newspaper, tried to attend a public hearing on the matter, he was ejected none-too-gently from the building.

The Economist

The company has seen its stock price fall and attracted unwanted attention from activist shareholders including David Einhorn and Carl Icahn, who've none-too-gently suggested that Apple should make better use of its approximately $150bn hoard of cash.

The Guardian - Tech

The year was tinted with tension, anger, despair – sentiments none too handy for the incumbent Fianna Fáil, which had convinced us all that our gently motoring economy was an 18-wheel juggernaut, and proceeded to drive it off a cliff.

The Guardian

None too sociable, though.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps none too soon.

The New York Times

He's none too pleased.

The New York Times

"I was none too pleased.

The Guardian - Music

Shmurda is none too happy.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "none too gently" to subtly criticize an action without being overly harsh. It adds a touch of understatement, implying a lack of care or finesse.

Common error

Avoid using "none too gently" too frequently, as it can become predictable and lose its impact. Opt for more direct language when stronger criticism is warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none too gently" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a lack of gentleness, adding a layer of understated criticism.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "none too gently" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express that an action was performed without much care or delicacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression for adding a touch of understated criticism. While not particularly common, it appears mostly in News & Media contexts. Consider using alternatives like "somewhat roughly" or "not very delicately" for similar effects. Remember to use "none too gently" sparingly to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more forcefully than necessary

Highlights that an exaggerated level of force has been exerted.

not very delicately

Highlights the lack of finesse or care.

in a brusque manner

Focuses on the abrupt and curt nature of the action.

somewhat roughly

Focuses on the degree of roughness involved.

with a heavy hand

Implies excessive force or strictness.

rather harshly

Emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the action.

quite unceremoniously

Focuses on the lack of formality or politeness.

with considerable force

Stresses the amount of power or strength used.

without much consideration

Emphasizes the lack of thought or regard for the recipient.

in a clumsy fashion

Highlights the awkward or unskillful way in which the action was performed.

FAQs

How can I use "none too gently" in a sentence?

Use "none too gently" to describe an action performed without much care or delicacy. For example, "The movers handled the antique furniture "not very delicately", which could be rephrased as 'The movers handled the antique furniture "none too gently"'.

What does "none too gently" mean?

"None too gently" means without much gentleness; somewhat roughly or harshly. It implies a lack of care or finesse in an action.

What are some alternatives to "none too gently"?

Alternatives include "somewhat roughly", "rather harshly", or "not very delicately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "none too gently" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "none too gently" is not a particularly common phrase. Other expressions like "somewhat roughly" may be more frequently used.