remotely interesting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remotely interesting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only slightly or marginally interesting. Example: "The lecture was so dull that I found only a few points to be remotely interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you find her remotely interesting?

The New York Times

The Samsung SH100 camera is remotely interesting.

The New York Times

Surgery is not remotely interesting to them.

The New York Times - Books

Algeria are still waiting for anything remotely interesting to happen to them at a World Cup.

Independent

The characters drone on and on in their pleasant accents but never say anything remotely interesting.

The New York Times - Tech

You have not yet found any remotely interesting issue that distinguishes you from the other candidates.

The New York Times

It would take a Barrett-load of drugs to make this sound remotely interesting, though I wouldn't advise that.

Independent

He was icy calm as Perry interviewed him pre-prison, and not remotely interesting about the experience afterwards.

Independent

The good scholars of Milton reveal their typical resistance to anything even remotely interesting or alive in the text.

Yale University

Companies are led by business school clones, almost none of them doing anything remotely interesting with their lives or even their money.

Independent

Film needs challenging and surprising characters in order to bloom; the dismissal of any eccentric, remotely interesting female character as "just another Manic Pixie Dream Girl" is misogynistic.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remotely interesting" to express a weak level of interest, implying something barely holds attention. It is effective in conveying a sense of boredom or lack of engagement with the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "remotely interesting" when you actually find something very interesting. This phrase downplays your level of interest and could mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remotely interesting" functions as an adverb-adjective combination used to qualify the level of interest something evokes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a very low degree of intrigue or appeal. Its primary function is to express that something barely holds one's attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remotely interesting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minimal level of interest. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is suitable for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Academia. While its register is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of its purpose, which is to communicate a lack of strong engagement. Common errors include using it when the intention is to express actual, albeit mild, interest. When greater emphasis is needed, alternatives such as "slightly intriguing" or "somewhat captivating" can add nuance. Overall, "remotely interesting" effectively conveys a sense of boredom or indifference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly curious

Emphasizes a low level of curiosity, highlighting the slight inquisitiveness.

slightly intriguing

Emphasizes a minimal level of intrigue, focusing on the slightly engaging aspect.

somewhat captivating

Suggests a certain level of captivation, highlighting the slightly fascinating nature.

vaguely absorbing

Suggests that something takes some amount of attention, highlighting the slightly engaging nature.

faintly appealing

Indicates a minimal degree of appeal, focusing on a slight attractiveness.

marginally engaging

Highlights the barely engaging aspect, emphasizing a minimal level of activity.

hardly fascinating

Implies that something is not fascinating, but there is a very small amount of interest.

distantly remarkable

Indicates a certain remove from what is considered to be striking or worthy of attention.

scarcely stimulating

Indicates a lack of stimulation, suggesting a minimal level of activation.

barely noteworthy

Highlights that something is hardly worth noting, emphasizing the lack of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "remotely interesting" in a sentence?

Use "remotely interesting" to describe something that has a very low degree of interest. For example: "The presentation wasn't "remotely interesting"; I almost fell asleep."

What are some alternatives to "remotely interesting"?

Alternatives include "slightly intriguing", "somewhat captivating", or "faintly appealing" depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "remotely interesting"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something has a minimal degree of interest, not enough to hold significant attention. If something isn't "remotely interesting" it is basically boring.

Is "remotely interesting" more formal or informal?

"Remotely interesting" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the specific nuance you want to convey rather than the formality of the setting.