not so friendly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so friendly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not particularly welcoming or kind, often in a mild or humorous context. Example: "The customer service representative was not so friendly when I called to ask for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Other times they are not so friendly".

The New York Times

Urban Hotel Design urbanhotell.it; 39-040-302-065) is similarly central, but not so friendly.

The New York Times - Travel

But he's not so friendly to ordinary folk who want to borrow from the high-street lender he controls.

Independent

He loved it, and was quiet, ate, had dessert, and the normally not so friendly wait staff loved him.

The New York Times - Food

This month, he completed recruiting and training the 44 inspectors from countries friendly and not so friendly to the Iraqis.

The New York Times

(Guardian) Not So Friendly Skies Virgin America is a favorite among fliers, so why can't it share in the industry's rebound?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

There was no bomb, just a Harvard banner that seemingly carried a not-so-friendly message.

The New York Times - Sports

NOT-SO-FRIENDLY COMPETITION My best friend, Adele, and I both participate in our high school's speech team.

The New York Times - Magazine

WASHINGTON — From the capital to Arkansas, liberals plan to spend this week aiming some not-so-friendly fire at President Obama and Congressional Democrats.

The New York Times

NOT-SO-FRIENDLY RIVALS The teams split their 18 games this season, though St . Louiswon six of the last seven.

The New York Times

Georgia, not coincidentally, just received notice from the N.C.A.A. that its enforcers will be stopping by for a not-so-friendly visit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from more direct or nuanced language like "unwelcoming" or "reserved".

Common error

Avoid using "not so friendly" when the situation involves clear aggression or hostility. Opt for stronger terms like "hostile" or "antagonistic" if the behavior warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so friendly" functions as a qualifier or modifier, typically describing a person, place, or thing that lacks warmth, kindness, or sociability. It's a gentler way of expressing that something is less welcoming or agreeable than expected, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

The Guardian - Music

4%

The New York Times - Sports

4%

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not so friendly" serves as a nuanced descriptor for situations lacking warmth without being overtly hostile. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, primarily in news and media contexts. It offers a subtle way to express criticism or understated humor. When writing, it's best used to avoid overstating unfriendliness and considering the formality of the context. Alternatives like "somewhat unfriendly" or "rather unfriendly" can provide similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unfriendly

Replaces "not so" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly less friendly disposition.

rather unfriendly

Substitutes "not so" with "rather", suggesting a similar level of reduced friendliness.

not particularly friendly

Replaces "so" with "particularly", emphasizing a specific lack of friendliness.

a bit hostile

Changes the focus to hostility, suggesting a more actively unfriendly demeanor.

slightly antagonistic

Uses "antagonistic" to imply a mild form of opposition or unfriendliness.

not very welcoming

Shifts the focus to the reception offered, indicating a lack of warmth.

less than cordial

Employs "cordial" to describe a deficiency in politeness and warmth.

unapproachable

Indicates a difficulty in initiating contact due to perceived unfriendliness.

distant

Describes emotional or social aloofness, implying a lack of friendliness.

standoffish

Suggests a reserved and aloof manner, hinting at a lack of sociability.

FAQs

What does "not so friendly" mean?

The phrase "not so friendly" means someone or something isn't particularly kind, welcoming, or agreeable. It's a mild way to describe a lack of warmth or even slight antagonism.

What are some alternative ways to say "not so friendly"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unfriendly", "rather unfriendly", or "not particularly friendly" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it correct to use "not so friendly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not so friendly" might be considered too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more direct or nuanced language such as "unwelcoming" or "reserved".

What is the difference between "not so friendly" and "unfriendly"?

"Unfriendly" is a stronger term suggesting open antagonism or hostility. "Not so friendly" is milder, implying a lack of warmth or welcoming behavior without necessarily indicating outright negativity.