slightly emotional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly emotional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is experiencing a mild or moderate level of emotion, often in a context where emotions are being discussed or analyzed. Example: "During the meeting, she became slightly emotional when sharing her personal story, which resonated with many of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Her voice was educated, hard, slightly masculine, and — not surprisingly — slightly emotional.

The New Yorker

"Thank you to the ABC for continuing to make such fine Australian drama," says Karvan in a slightly emotional speech.

The Guardian - Film

He became slightly emotional during his 55-minute speech as he talked about fleeing the scene of the attack on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

"You let go of many of the things that you know or you've learned, because you can't go and buy things that you have at home," she says, turning slightly emotional at the thought.

The Guardian

Alex: So, how many grown-ups here feel slightly emotional?

BBC

I'll only say that here, but I do feel slightly emotional.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

A slightly melancholy emotional distance calls to mind Edward Hopper.

The New York Times

No wonder Ford is expressing himself in slightly more emotional terms than normal.

The Guardian - Sport

Anything even slightly stressful, emotional or difficult might make you cry, so leave the competitive shooters and Dark Souls runs for a while.

The Guardian - Tech

We have a later, less professional or less tetchy over-the-phone and slightly more emotional conversation – he's done it!

The Guardian

Predictably, its architectural framework is entirely different; and it has the slightly shrill emotional character, common in German art, that represents an effort to involve and move the spectator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly emotional" to describe a mild emotional response, often when downplaying a stronger reaction or indicating a nuanced feeling. This phrase is particularly useful in formal writing where understatement is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly emotional" when the context clearly indicates a much stronger emotional response. For example, describing someone who is sobbing uncontrollably as "slightly emotional" would be a significant understatement and could undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly emotional" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe the degree of emotion being experienced. It qualifies the intensity of the emotion, indicating it is present but not overwhelming. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable english phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly emotional" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a moderate level of emotionality, suitable for various contexts including news reports, scientific articles, and everyday conversations. While "slightly emotional" is quite versatile, ensure the emotional intensity of the context aligns with the degree of emotion the phrase conveys, to avoid understatements. Alternative phrases such as "a bit sentimental" or "mildly moved" can be used to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly affected

This expression indicates a minor emotional influence or change.

a tad emotional

Using "tad" instead of "slightly" offers a more informal tone but similar meaning.

mildly moved

This alternative directly conveys a gentle emotional impact.

marginally emotional

The term "marginally" suggests an even smaller degree of emotionality.

a bit sentimental

This phrase suggests a mild degree of sentimentality, focusing on tender feelings.

barely emotional

Similar meaning to query and also suggests an almost undetectable level of emotion.

somewhat touched

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being moved or affected by something.

noticeably sentimental

Similar to "a bit sentimental" but indicates the emotion is more obvious.

a little weepy

This phrase implies a tendency to cry, suggesting a stronger emotional response.

somewhat sensitive

This highlights a general tendency to experience emotions more readily.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly emotional" to describe a situation or person experiencing a mild level of emotion. For example: "She became "slightly emotional" when discussing her childhood memories."

What does "slightly emotional" mean?

"Slightly emotional" means experiencing a mild or moderate level of emotion. It suggests a subdued or controlled emotional response, less intense than being very sad or extremely happy.

What can I say instead of "slightly emotional"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit sentimental", "mildly moved", or "somewhat touched" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "slightly emotional"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that someone is experiencing emotions, but not intensely. This phrase is useful when describing someone who is trying to maintain composure or when the emotional response is subdued due to context or personality.