quietly proud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quietly proud" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of pride that is not overtly displayed or is felt internally rather than expressed outwardly. Example: "She felt quietly proud of her accomplishments, even if she didn't boast about them to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Music

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Jeter is quietly proud; Rodriguez preens.

The New York Times - Books

I feel quietly proud and emotional.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And Follmann is quietly proud of his progress.

The New York Times - Sports

At Equus, the Landts seemed quietly proud, though not surprised.

The New York Times

You'd like to think Ewan would have been quietly proud.

The Guardian - Music

She remained self-reliant, tough, faithful, ladylike and quietly proud to the end.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"People on the right are quietly still terribly proud of it, while those on the left see it as a great source of shame.

The Guardian

"I think they were quietly pleased and proud in some ways," Matt says of his and Pat's success, "but they never told us or went on about it.

The Guardian - Arts

Indeed, with Pellegrini's hopes of lasting into the summer menaced by the availability of Pep Guardiola and Louis van Gaal seeming to deflate a little more with every public appearance, slumped in his touchline chair like a giant, sad, proud, quietly withering bathroom duck, a tantalising outcome is just about within Wenger's grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

Through its standard guitar amp, MIDI, and headphone jack outputs, you can play loud and proud or quietly for yourself.

TechCrunch

Through its standard guitar amp, MIDI, and headphone jack outputs, you can play  loud and proud or quietly for yourself.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quietly proud" when you want to convey a sense of pride that is not boastful or ostentatious, but rather a deep, personal satisfaction. For instance: "She was quietly proud of her volunteer work."

Common error

Avoid using "quietly proud" sarcastically or to imply that someone is being secretly arrogant. Ensure the context clearly indicates genuine, understated pride rather than hidden contempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quietly proud" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being proud in a subtle or understated way. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where it describes individuals or entities experiencing pride without overt display.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Books

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quietly proud" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe a subtle and understated feeling of pride. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context conveys genuine, understated pride rather than hidden contempt. Consider alternatives such as "subtly proud" or "humbly proud" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. Therefore, the phrase is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subtly proud

Focuses on the understated nature of the pride.

humbly proud

Emphasizes modesty alongside pride.

secretly proud

Highlights the hidden or unexpressed aspect of pride.

inwardly proud

Focuses on pride felt internally.

silently pleased

Replaces "proud" with a milder form of satisfaction.

discreetly pleased

Highlights the reserved expression of satisfaction.

reservedly proud

Emphasizes the restraint in showing pride.

unobtrusively proud

Focuses on the lack of fanfare in the pride.

softly proud

Emphasizes the gentle nature of the pride.

internally gratified

Replaces "proud" with a more formal expression of satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "quietly proud" in a sentence?

You can use "quietly proud" to describe someone who feels satisfaction without making a show of it. Example: "He was "quietly proud" of his daughter's achievements."

What are some alternatives to "quietly proud"?

Consider using phrases like "subtly proud", "humbly proud", or "secretly proud", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "quietly proud" or "proud"?

The choice depends on the context. "Proud" is a general term, while "quietly proud" suggests a more reserved or understated sense of pride. Use "quietly proud" when you want to emphasize the lack of ostentation.

What's the difference between "quietly proud" and "smugly proud"?

"Quietly proud" indicates a subdued satisfaction, while "smugly proud" implies an excessive and irritating sense of self-satisfaction. They have very different connotations; "smugly proud" suggests arrogance, while "quietly proud" suggests humility.