not very sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a taste or flavor that is mild or lacking in sweetness. Example: "The dessert was enjoyable, but it was not very sweet, which made it a perfect choice for those who prefer less sugary treats."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food

Taste Descriptions

General Descriptions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's not very sweet at all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here at Oakland farmers' markets, the strawberries are large and not very sweet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Today's abbreviated round was short and not very sweet for Sorenstam.

The New York Times - Sports

But she stood fast, "not very sweet at all," she said.

The New York Times

Although the cream tastes rich, it is not very sweet, and the strawberry jam complements it nicely.

The New York Times - Travel

A terrific jelly-filled doughnut, with dough as light as a feather and not very sweet, a perfect counterpoint to the filling.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Eden coffee isn't very sweet.

The Guardian

In the Chinese culture, we enjoy sweets and pastries that aren't very sweet.

Forbes

My cookies aren't very sweet so I used my regular cookie recipe with the same sugar and butter but I cut down on the white flour and added some whole wheat flour, oats and shredded wheat.

Huffington Post

If you prefer that it isn't very sweet, you can cut back on the amount of sugar you use or simply eliminate it from the recipe.

WikiHow

That's right: To get this not-very-sweet deal, Ms. Vintilla has to agree to the fiction that she accepted these terms in the name of customer loyalty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "not very sweet" to indicate a preference for less sugary options, especially when contrasting it with other flavors or ingredients.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "not very sweet" without elaborating on its other flavor characteristics. Providing additional context, such as "slightly tart" or "bitter undertones", creates a more complete and helpful description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very sweet" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a mild level of sweetness. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to describe food, drinks, or even abstract experiences lacking in sweetness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

10%

Less common in

The New Yorker

5%

Britannica

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very sweet" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate a mild or subtle level of sweetness. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in food descriptions and personal preferences. While acceptable in a range of registers, it is often used in neutral contexts. The Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase. When using "not very sweet", consider providing further detail about other flavor profiles to create a more complete sensory description. Alternatives such as "slightly tart" or "mildly flavored" can offer nuanced ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking sweetness

Directly states the absence or deficiency of sweetness.

not cloyingly sweet

Indicates a lack of excessive or sickening sweetness.

not particularly sugary

Emphasizes the absence of a high sugar content.

not intensely sweet

Focuses on the intensity, indicating the sweetness is not overpowering.

less sweet than expected

Highlights a deviation from an anticipated level of sweetness.

subtly sweet

Suggests a delicate and understated sweetness.

lightly sweetened

Implies a small amount of sweetener has been added, but not much.

slightly tart

Focuses on a contrasting flavor profile of tartness instead of sweetness.

mildly flavored

Describes the overall flavor intensity as gentle, not just sweetness.

somewhat bland

Shifts to a more negative connotation, suggesting a lack of flavor.

FAQs

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

You can use "not very sweet" to describe the taste of food or drinks, for example: "This tea is "not very sweet", which I prefer."

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

You can use alternatives like "slightly tart", "mildly flavored", or "less sweet than expected" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not so sweet" instead of "not very sweet"?

While "not so sweet" is also grammatically correct, ""not very sweet"" is a more common and natural-sounding way to express a mild lack of sweetness.

What's the difference between "not very sweet" and "unsweetened"?

"Not very sweet" implies a low level of sweetness, while "unsweetened" means there is absolutely no added sugar or sweetness.