not very proud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very proud" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of modesty or lack of confidence regarding an achievement or situation. Example: "I completed the project, but I am not very proud of the final result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

They're not very proud of it.

The Guardian - Music

I'm not very proud of it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm not very proud of how it's turned out".

The New York Times

I'm not very proud that the music bits are fantasies.

The New York Times

I'm not very proud of what he said about Bill.

The New York Times

We were not very proud, back then, of ourselves or our cuisine.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The only reason I'm cautious is I don't want to denigrate my other achievements, or for people in Switzerland to think I wasn't very proud of reaching the World Cup in 1994 or the Euros in 1996 after so many years.

The Guardian - Sport

XV isn't very proud of the current generation, who are self-centered and focused on ephemeral symbols, such as Twitter verification.

TechCrunch

He added: "The only reason I'm cautious is I don't want to denigrate other achievements, or people in Switzerland, to think I wasn't very proud of that achievement and that team".

BBC

The story being told at Ohio State is not a very proud one right now: the university bending over backward to keep a star eligible; Clarett caught up in a web of questionable money and dubious ethics and his own resentment at working in exchange for an education he obviously does not want.

The New York Times - Sports

Not a very proud distinction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very proud" to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or regret without being overly negative. It is suitable when you want to convey a nuanced sentiment, indicating that while you may not be entirely ashamed, you're also not particularly pleased with the outcome.

Common error

While "not very proud" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. In formal settings, opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "somewhat dissatisfied" or "less than pleased" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very proud" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject to express a feeling of mild dissatisfaction or regret. It is used to convey that someone is not completely happy with something they have done or something that has happened. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

14%

Sports

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very proud" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or regret. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When writing, consider the level of formality needed and choose the most appropriate synonym, like "somewhat ashamed" or "not particularly proud", to maintain the desired tone. Avoid overusing it in very formal settings. It's important to understand that, while acceptable, the phrase communicates a nuanced feeling that is neither strongly negative nor overly positive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly proud

A more neutral way to express a lack of pride, softening the sentiment.

somewhat ashamed

Implies a degree of guilt or embarrassment, stronger than simply not being proud.

it wasn't my proudest achievement

Highlights the lack of pride in a specific accomplishment.

a little embarrassed

Focuses on the feeling of embarrassment, suggesting some level of discomfort.

disappointed in myself

Internalizes the lack of pride as disappointment in one's own actions.

slightly regretful

Highlights the element of regret, indicating a wish things had been different.

not entirely satisfied

Shifts the focus to satisfaction rather than pride, suggesting something is lacking.

not my finest moment

Acknowledges a specific instance where performance or behavior was subpar.

less than thrilled

Informal expression indicating a lack of excitement or enthusiasm.

wish I hadn't done that

Directly expresses regret over a past action.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "not very proud"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat ashamed", "not particularly proud", or "a little embarrassed" depending on the context.

How to use "not very proud" in a sentence?

You can use "not very proud" to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or regret. For example, "I completed the project, but I am not very proud of the final result."

Is "not very proud of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not very proud of" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules.

What is the difference between "not very proud" and "ashamed"?

"Not very proud" indicates a general lack of satisfaction, while "ashamed" implies a stronger feeling of guilt or embarrassment. "Ashamed" suggests a deeper sense of wrongdoing or failure than simply "not very proud".