putting it mildly

USAGE SUMMARY

"putting it mildly" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a statement is being made in an exaggeratedly or excessively understated manner. For example, "The morning commute was chaos. Putting it mildly, the traffic was a nightmare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That's putting it mildly.

The New York Times - Arts

Sensitivity is putting it mildly.

The New York Times

That is putting it mildly.

The New York Times

Challenge is putting it mildly.

The New York Times

And that's putting it mildly.

The New York Times

That was putting it mildly.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was an off-putting performance, to put it mildly.

The New York Times

I put it mildly.

The Washington Post

To put it mildly.

The New York Times - Style

He was, to put it mildly, peeved.

The New York Times

They were correct, to put it mildly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "putting it mildly" to add a touch of irony or understatement when describing a situation that is far more extreme than your words suggest. It can be effective for softening bad news or adding humor.

Common error

While understatement can be effective, overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem insincere or confusing. Reserve "putting it mildly" for situations where the contrast between the words and the reality is genuinely striking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "putting it mildly" serves as an understatement marker. It indicates that the speaker or writer is deliberately downplaying the true extent or severity of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "putting it mildly" is a versatile phrase used to create understatement and highlight a contrast between a description and reality. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for various contexts, it's crucial to avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "to say the least" or "that's an understatement" for variety. By employing this phrase judiciously, writers can effectively add emphasis and a touch of irony to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to understate the case

Emphasizes the act of deliberately downplaying a situation.

that's an understatement

Directly points out that the previous statement was weaker than reality.

to say the least

Indicates that there's more to the situation than what's being said.

it's a bit of an understatement

Highlights the degree to which something is understated.

that's putting it lightly

Similar in tone, but suggests an even greater discrepancy between the statement and reality.

if you want to put it that way

Implies reluctance or skepticism about the original statement.

to put it diplomatically

Suggests a desire to avoid causing offense or being overly harsh.

it's not exactly ideal

Understates a negative situation, focusing on the lack of perfection.

it's fair to say

Introduces an opinion or observation, often used to soften a potentially controversial statement.

one might say

Adds a layer of detachment or uncertainty to the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "putting it mildly" in a sentence?

You can use "putting it mildly" to downplay the severity of a situation. For example, "The project was behind schedule; "putting it mildly", it was a disaster."

What are some alternatives to "putting it mildly"?

Alternatives include "to say the least", "that's an understatement", or "that's putting it lightly", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "putting it mildly" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the true extent of something by deliberately understating it. It works well in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid overuse.

Is "putting it mildly" considered formal or informal language?

"Putting it mildly" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its effectiveness depends more on the context than the setting.