slightly tedious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly tedious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat boring or monotonous, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The lecture was slightly tedious, but I managed to stay focused on the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Two exceptions: Michael Specter's soppy, credulous profile of Lance Armstrong, from 2002, and Rebecca Mead's slightly tedious profile of the slightly tedious Shaquille O'Neal, from the same year.

The New York Times

Although slightly tedious, it can be done pretty quickly, and saves you installing any special software.

The Guardian - Tech

He opposed the Iraq war but voted to pay for its continuation.Mrs Clinton's speeches still include a long and slightly tedious list of micro-policies.

The Economist

Ben Ashby Big increases in quality and duration of game highlights in the last few years have made live football seem slightly tedious and boring.

The Guardian - Sport

— John Colapinto I am one of those slightly tedious people who always think they should be reading Great Books, yet I don't want to be pretentious about it.

The New Yorker

Despite the slightly tedious nostalgia for the world of the New York intellectuals and the patient outlets of nineteen-fifties high journalism, I doubt that Edmund Wilson or Alfred Kazin would rightfully find much to complain about.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Slightly more tedious stuff Some of the more outraged attacks on the editorial claim it described some history and philosophy of science in a way which doesn't fit with the consensus academic view in those fields.

The Guardian

Although it is possible to find a transformation that will convert the apparent non-selfadjointness back to its original selfadjoint state, the effort and time involved in looking for one may actually overwhelm the slightly more tedious task of solving it as a non-selfadjoint problem in the first instance.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Even walking is slightly less tedious when you're tripping, but maybe that's because you sort of forget what walking is and start mechanically floating down the high street, grinning massively and inanely at everything in sight.

Vice

It will probably be a little more difficult to remember and slightly more tedious to key in, and it probably won't even be able to fend off determined hackers, but it will make it much more difficult to hack into your network.

Huffington Post

At some indefinable moment, something changed, and the incessant reportage of his boy-cries-wolf traumas became tedious and slightly sad (in the unsympathetic sense); nowadays "who cares?" is the resounding response.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to emphasize a stronger sentiment of boredom, consider using alternatives like "very tedious" or "extremely dull" to convey the gravity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly tedious" too frequently in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or lacking in precision. Opt for more specific vocabulary that accurately reflects the nature of the tedium.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly tedious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun. The adverb "slightly" intensifies the adjective "tedious", indicating a mild degree of boredom or monotony. Ludwig AI identifies examples from various sources showcasing its use in describing tasks, events, or experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly tedious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something that is a bit boring or monotonous. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it functions as an adverb-adjective combination, expressing a mild degree of tedium. The phrase is versatile, appearing in news articles, general-interest writing, and even scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its overuse in formal writing should be avoided. When a stronger negative feeling must be expressed, there are alternatives that could be taken into account. Ludwig's analysis demonstrates that the phrase is well-established and readily understood in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dull

Indicates a lack of interest or excitement, similar to tediousness but can also imply a lack of sharpness or brightness.

a bit boring

A more straightforward and common way to express a lack of interest.

mildly monotonous

Focuses on the repetitive nature of something, implying a lack of variety.

rather unexciting

Highlights the absence of excitement or stimulation.

marginally tiresome

Emphasizes the wearing effect of something, suggesting a mild sense of fatigue.

somewhat humdrum

Implies a lack of variety and excitement, suggesting ordinariness and routine.

a little wearisome

Suggests a slight feeling of fatigue or exhaustion due to the length or difficulty of something.

not particularly stimulating

Directly addresses the lack of mental engagement or excitement.

moderately uninteresting

A more formal way of saying something is not particularly engaging.

slightly pedestrian

Implies a lack of originality or imagination, suggesting something is ordinary or commonplace.

FAQs

What does "slightly tedious" mean?

The phrase "slightly tedious" describes something that is a little boring or monotonous. It indicates a mild level of tedium, suggesting something is not very interesting or engaging.

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

You can use "slightly tedious" to describe activities, tasks, or events. For example, "The lecture was "slightly tedious", but I still learned a few things," or "The process of filling out the forms was "slightly tedious", but necessary."

What can I say instead of "slightly tedious"?

Alternatives to "slightly tedious" include "somewhat dull", "a bit boring", "mildly monotonous", or "rather unexciting". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "slightly tedious" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "slightly tedious" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer more precise or sophisticated vocabulary.