not very sentimental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very sentimental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that lacks emotional depth or is not overly expressive of feelings. Example: "Her approach to the situation was practical and not very sentimental, focusing on the facts rather than emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's not very sentimental.

The New York Times

"He's not very sentimental".

The New Yorker

I'm not very sentimental.

Huffington Post

And by not very sentimental I mean that last year I gave my wedding dress to one of my high school students to turn into an art project.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

After a moment, he added, "Just so people won't forget: Che was not a very sentimental guy.

The New Yorker

Dr. Quinn did not seem very sentimental about the prospect.

The New York Times

"We are not a very sentimental bunch but I think that's the bond that we all feel, 'My God, we're the only ones that have ever been Pythons.' No one else can ever experience it".

The Guardian

It's almost impossible to do anything that isn't very conservative, sentimental, lots of flowers and how much we love our mums".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Templetown's designs were very sentimental, not particularly to my taste, but they do stand up well as good pieces of their kind.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Doremus, a 27-year-old graduate of the American Film Institute, deftly mimics the restless camera movements and loose cutting associated with the do-it-yourself mumblecore aesthetic, giving a lived-in look to a pat, sentimental and not very believable story.

The New York Times

"I tried," he said, "but I couldn't do it without sounding very sentimental".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in a story or a person in real life, use "not very sentimental" to subtly indicate a pragmatic or rational approach to situations, contrasting with those who are more emotionally driven.

Common error

Avoid using "not very sentimental" in situations where a degree of empathy or emotional expression is expected or required, as it can come across as cold or dismissive. Consider softening the statement or choosing a more nuanced description of emotional restraint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very sentimental" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used to qualify a noun or pronoun. It indicates a lack of emotional depth or attachment. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's often used to describe people's personalities or approaches to situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very sentimental" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it serves to describe a lack of emotional depth or attachment to sentimental objects or ideas. It typically appears in neutral contexts such as news media, but can be used in everyday conversation as well. When using the phrase, consider the potential for misinterpretation in contexts where some emotional expression is expected. Alternatives such as "unsentimental" or "not particularly emotional" may be useful for different levels of formality or nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly emotional

Replaces "sentimental" with a broader term for emotional expression.

rather unsentimental

Uses "unsentimental" to directly negate the presence of sentimentality.

not easily moved

Focuses on the difficulty in eliciting emotional responses.

lacking sentimentality

Uses a more formal and direct negation of sentimentality.

not prone to emotional displays

Emphasizes the absence of outward emotional expression.

not given to sentiment

A more literary way of expressing a lack of sentimentality.

not inclined to emotionality

Similar to "not prone to emotional displays", focusing on inclination.

without much sentiment

Highlights the scarcity of sentimental feelings.

not deeply affected

Focuses on a lack of strong emotional impact.

not one for sentimentality

Indicates a personal aversion to sentimentality.

FAQs

How can I use "not very sentimental" in a sentence?

You can use "not very sentimental" to describe someone who doesn't show much emotion or doesn't value keepsakes. For example: "He's "not very sentimental" about old photos; he just throws them away".

What's a more formal alternative to "not very sentimental"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "lacking in sentimentality" or "unsentimental". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are suitable for more professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "unsentimental" or "not very sentimental"?

Both "unsentimental" and "not very sentimental" are correct. "Unsentimental" is more direct and concise, while "not very sentimental" can sometimes soften the statement, making it sound less harsh depending on the context.

What's the difference between "not very sentimental" and "callous"?

"Not very sentimental" suggests a lack of emotional attachment or expression. "Callous", on the other hand, implies a deliberate disregard for the feelings of others, suggesting insensitivity or cruelty. The former is simply a lack of sentiment, while the latter is an active disregard for emotion.