not particularly sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not particularly sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a mild or low level of sweetness, often in the context of food or beverages. Example: "The dessert was enjoyable, but it was not particularly sweet, which made it a nice change from the usual overly sugary options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She went for short, and not particularly sweet.

The New York Times - Style

Tony Abbott's spell as Australian Prime Minister has been short and not particularly sweet.

Independent

For the three British women involved, their experiences at Roland Garros were short but not particularly sweet.

The Guardian - Sport

The have been short and not particularly sweet, delegates of all parties will be hoping that next year's meetings are held in a more stable international climate.

The Guardian

It didn't take long for Cubs fans (and Cubs players) to learn that Lou is not particularly "sweet" and that he doesn't care to be.

Forbes

"Bitter" isn't the most alluring of adjectives for a fruit, but these are in fact a useful, very orangey kind of orange - just not particularly sweet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Despite not particularly liking sweet liqueurs I enjoy my blackberry whisky straight because of the fruitiness - and a tot sharpens the senses wonderfully if knocked back just before a mushroom foray.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even savory fast foods that don't taste particularly sweet are often full of refined sugars.

WikiHow

Hull boss Steve Bruce on whether beating Wolves was particularly sweet: "Not really, it's football.

BBC

Saturday 10 a.m. 4. SWEET START Sienese sweets are not particularly well known, but you can't leave before trying the two staples — panforte and ricciarelli.

The New York Times - Travel

And I don't even have a particularly sweet tooth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not particularly sweet" to describe flavors or experiences that are mildly pleasing without being overly sugary or sentimental, which can add nuance to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "not particularly sweet" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be expected. Consider using terms like "low in sucrose" or "exhibiting minimal saccharide content" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not particularly sweet" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and used to describe the intensity or degree of sweetness, indicating that something is sweet to a lesser extent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not particularly sweet" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe a mild level of sweetness. According to Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys the absence of intense sweetness and is suitable for various contexts, most commonly found in News & Media. While related phrases like "not very sweet" and "mildly sweet" offer similar meanings, "not particularly sweet" provides a unique descriptive nuance. While its frequency is rare, this phrase finds its niche in descriptions where a touch of sweetness is present, but not overpowering. When aiming to enrich descriptions, remember that context matters and "not particularly sweet" can be a valuable addition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not especially sweet

Uses "especially" instead of "particularly", indicating a slight shift in emphasis.

not overly sweet

Emphasizes the lack of excessive sweetness.

not very sweet

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

mildly sweet

Indicates a low level of sweetness.

slightly sweet

Suggests a minimal presence of sweetness.

somewhat bland

Focuses on the lack of strong flavor, including sweetness.

lacking sweetness

Directly states the absence of sweetness.

not as sweet as

Compares the sweetness to a reference point, implying less sweetness than expected.

less sweet than

Similar to "not as sweet as", but with a clearer comparative structure.

subtly flavored

Highlights the delicate and understated nature of the flavor profile, which includes sweetness.

FAQs

How can I use "not particularly sweet" in a sentence?

You can use "not particularly sweet" to describe food, drinks, or experiences that lack a strong sugary taste. For example, "The apple pie was delicious, but "not particularly sweet", which I appreciated".

What are some alternatives to saying "not particularly sweet"?

Alternatives include "not very sweet", "mildly sweet", or "slightly sweet", depending on the context and the degree of sweetness you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not particularly sweet"?

Yes, "not particularly sweet" is grammatically correct. It uses the adverb "particularly" to modify the adjective "sweet", indicating a moderate degree of sweetness.

What is the difference between "not particularly sweet" and "unsweetened"?

"Not particularly sweet" implies a small amount of sweetness, whereas "unsweetened" means there is no added sugar or sweetness at all. Something that is "not particularly sweet" might have some natural sugars, while something "unsweetened" should have none.