slightly ashamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly ashamed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a mild feeling of guilt or embarrassment about something. Example: "After realizing my mistake, I felt slightly ashamed for not paying attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I feel slightly ashamed.

The New Yorker

This time she looked slightly ashamed.

The New York Times

Slightly ashamed, I agreed that it was an important story.

The New Yorker

I feel kind of proud, yet also slightly ashamed.

The Guardian - Sport

They may feel slightly ashamed of the situation or think it is irrelevant.

The New York Times

I felt elated, and slightly ashamed that I had not trusted the Greek people.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I'm slightly too ashamed to read outright trash in public – but this is definitely not the context in which I wish to challenge myself.

The Guardian - Books

Both Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom are unashamed Christians; Stephen Crabb might this week be a slightly more ashamed Christian after he was caught sexting a campaign worker, but until that story broke he was very firmly counted among the Christians in the party and a paid-up member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.

The Guardian - Opinion

These sieges left them both disturbed and slightly angry or ashamed, so that they could not stop kissing, clinging, and using fond words to make it up to each other as they said good night.

The New Yorker

Years later, I was the one to feel slightly annoyed (I'm ashamed to admit) when this bratty kid from my school began to soar past me repeatedly in the book-writing department, beginning with his huge bestseller "Liar's Poker," his first book.

The Washington Post

I had heard of it but was ashamed by how little I knew, although slightly comforted when a lot of other people said the same thing.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly ashamed" to express a mild feeling of guilt or embarrassment without being overly dramatic. It's suitable when the situation doesn't warrant strong feelings of shame.

Common error

While "slightly ashamed" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, consider stronger or more precise terms like "remorseful" or "regretful" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly ashamed" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, expressing a mild degree of feeling guilty or embarrassed. It describes the emotional state of someone in relation to a specific action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

8%

Lifestyle

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly ashamed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a mild feeling of guilt or embarrassment. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is suitable for neutral to semi-formal settings. While versatile, remember to consider alternatives like "a bit ashamed" or "a little embarrassed" depending on the desired nuance. Avoid overuse in highly formal writing, where stronger terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit ashamed

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express a similar feeling.

somewhat ashamed

This alternative uses a different adverb to convey a similar degree of shame.

a little ashamed

Similar to "a bit ashamed", this option is more casual and informal.

mildly ashamed

This uses a more formal adverb to indicate a low intensity of shame.

slightly embarrassed

This alternative replaces "ashamed" with "embarrassed", focusing on social discomfort rather than guilt.

a little guilty

This shifts the focus to guilt rather than shame, implying a sense of wrongdoing.

somewhat remorseful

This alternative suggests a deeper sense of regret and repentance.

a bit regretful

Focuses more on the regret felt about something, rather than shame.

not entirely proud

This uses a negative construction to express a lack of pride, implying a sense of shame or regret.

feeling sheepish

This conveys a sense of awkwardness or embarrassment, often due to a minor mistake or social faux pas.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly ashamed" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly ashamed" to express a mild feeling of guilt or embarrassment. For example, "I felt "slightly ashamed" when I realized I had forgotten her birthday."

What's a good alternative to "slightly ashamed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a bit ashamed", "somewhat ashamed", or "a little embarrassed".

Is it better to say "slightly ashamed" or "a little ashamed"?

Both "slightly ashamed" and "a little ashamed" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on your preferred style; "slightly" might sound a touch more formal.

What's the difference between "slightly ashamed" and "deeply ashamed"?

"Slightly ashamed" indicates a mild level of shame, while "deeply ashamed" expresses a much stronger and more profound feeling of shame. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.