not very delicately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very delicately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or manner that lacks subtlety or finesse. Example: "He handled the situation not very delicately, causing more tension among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, the plan is to incorporate sponsored posts and content - but very delicately, as to not disrupt the feeling of organic success on the site.

BBC

"Whether or not Hubbard will let me [I don't know], but my producers are interested, though they're treating it very delicately.

Huffington Post

"We approached it very delicately and what we realised was this wasn't just one or two isolated cases – it's on a massive scale across several countries," Akfar said.

The Guardian

If you're not sure what kind of work someone is willing to do, ask questions very delicately, because the line between helping and offending can be fine.

The New York Times

"The administration has to handle this very delicately because of the intensity of feelings, and it's not going to be easy," Mr. Pastor said.

The New York Times

Everything must be handled very delicately, especially when dealing with older, fragile works, so the paint doesn't flake.

The New York Times

Very delicately.

The New York Times

We're balancing things very delicately".

Independent

" Very delicately, he tried kissing me again.

The New Yorker

In short, his poems, which inveigle their meanings very delicately, seem to refresh the world in which we live, and make it seem as if good poetry and this is very good poetry would be not too hard to write.

The Economist

The male is proceeding very delicately, like he's afraid of pushing too hard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very delicately", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "clumsily" or "roughly" might be more precise depending on the context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "not very delicately" can sound understated or even sarcastic in formal writing. Opt for more direct and professional alternatives like "carelessly" or "imprudently" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very delicately" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a lack of care, finesse, or gentleness in how something is handled. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very delicately" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase that describes a lack of finesse or care in performing an action. While Ludwig confirms its usability, the phrase is relatively uncommon. The absence of examples indicates limited real-world usage across various contexts. Alternatives like "rather clumsily" or "in a rough manner" might be more precise depending on the intended nuance. When writing, it's important to consider the register and choose more direct alternatives for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather clumsily

Indicates a lack of skill or grace; less formal than "not very delicately".

somewhat awkwardly

Highlights the uncomfortable or ungainly nature of the action; implies a lack of smoothness.

in a rough manner

Emphasizes the harshness or lack of gentleness in the approach.

without much finesse

Focuses on the absence of skillful handling or subtle manipulation.

not with great care

Highlights the lack of attention or caution given to the action.

in a ham-fisted way

Suggests a heavy-handed and insensitive approach.

a bit crudely

Emphasizes the lack of refinement or sophistication.

not so tactfully

Highlights the absence of sensitivity or consideration for others.

rather insensitively

Emphasizes the lack of empathy or awareness of others' feelings.

with a lack of subtlety

Highlights the direct and unsubtle nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not very delicately" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives such as "carelessly", "imprudently", or "without due consideration". These options offer a more professional tone while maintaining a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "not very delicately" and "clumsily"?

"Not very delicately" implies a general lack of finesse or care, while "clumsily" specifically suggests a lack of physical coordination. You might use "clumsily" when someone trips and spills something, but "not very delicately" when someone handles a sensitive topic poorly.

Is "not very delicately" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "not very delicately" might be perceived as too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "without sufficient precision" or "with inadequate care" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it best to use "not very delicately" over other similar phrases?

Use "not very delicately" when you want to express a lack of finesse or care without being overly harsh. It's a good choice when you want to soften the criticism or imply that the lack of care was unintentional.