partly serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly serious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or attitude that has elements of seriousness but is not entirely serious. Example: "His tone was partly serious, making it hard to tell if he was joking or not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Behave yourself," Mr. Bush told the photographer, an only partly serious admonition accompanied by an impish grin.

The New York Times

Now, I would love to give Kors the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is joking but on the evidence of his show, I can't help thinking he's at least partly serious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wrote at the time that it was like casting Jude Law in a remake of The Elephant Man, and I was partly being an arse, but partly serious, insofar as an injection of such glamour wouldn't just prettify the whole Bridget Jones business, but miss the point of it entirely.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Partly not serious".

The Guardian - Sport

We're also likely to appreciate only partly the serious underlying theme: what constitutes a hero in today's Mexico.

The New York Times

The event itself had the qualities of many "official" Palestinian events – partly a serious, organised affair, partly a backyard barbecue, with journalists and team leaders casually crossing the makeshift barrier to the island in the middle of the track as cars sped past just feet away from the unprotected observers.

Vice

China, partly driven by serious air pollution problems, has committed to cutting the proportion of energy it generates from coal and has set up pilot carbon markets and low carbon zones.

The Guardian

Does this Cambridge project seem a little bit more serious, partly because you haven't put yourself in it?

Vice

Clozapine's use is restricted partly due to serious adverse effects including blood disorders and cardiac toxicity.

BMC Psychiatry

Online video is still not a serious competitor, partly because viewers are less tolerant of ads, partly because much of it is poor.

The Economist

Illinois had tried that, he said, and its credit rating took a serious hit, partly as a result.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partly serious" to accurately convey a mixed attitude or situation where seriousness is present but not absolute. This allows for nuance and avoids overstating the intensity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "partly serious" when the situation is predominantly humorous or entirely serious. Ensure there's a genuine blend of both aspects to justify its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly serious" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree or extent of seriousness. It indicates that something is serious to some extent but not entirely so. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "partly serious" is used to describe situations, statements, or attitudes that contain an element of seriousness without being entirely grave. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in written English. It is most commonly found in news media and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. When using this phrase, ensure there is a genuine blend of both seriousness and other elements to avoid overstating the gravity of the situation. Some alternatives are "somewhat earnest", "slightly grave" or "half-joking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not fully serious

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of the seriousness.

Slightly serious

Replaces "partly" with a synonym adverb that is less precise in its gradation.

Partially joking

Replaces "serious" with its antonym and keeps the "partially" adverb.

Moderately serious

Indicates a medium level of seriousness.

Somewhat earnest

Replaces "serious" with "earnest", conveying sincerity to a degree.

Slightly grave

Substitutes "serious" with "grave", emphasizing the solemn aspect but to a lesser extent.

Quasi-serious

Uses the prefix "quasi-" to indicate an approximation of seriousness.

Kind of solemn

Uses "kind of" to soften the intensity of "solemn".

Half-joking

Focuses on the humorous side, implying a lack of full seriousness.

Not entirely kidding

Highlights the presence of seriousness within a jest.

FAQs

How can I use "partly serious" in a sentence?

You can use "partly serious" to describe someone's demeanor, a situation, or a statement that has elements of seriousness but isn't entirely grave. For example, "His tone was "partly serious", making it hard to tell if he was joking or not."

What's a good alternative to "partly serious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "somewhat earnest", "slightly grave", or "half-joking", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "partly serious"?

Yes, "partly serious" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that has an element of seriousness mixed with something else, like humor or indifference.

What is the difference between "partly serious" and "completely serious"?

"Partly serious" implies a mix of seriousness and other elements, while "completely serious" indicates a total absence of levity or humor. The degree to which the statement is believable changes with each description.