slightly uncivil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly uncivil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior or remarks that are somewhat rude or impolite, but not overtly so. Example: "His comments during the meeting were slightly uncivil, making some team members uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may be uncivil, but they are not uncivilized.

The New York Times

— "Uncivil Liberties".

The New Yorker

Our whole thing was uncivil.

The New Yorker

It's rude and uncivil.

The Guardian - Books

"Engage in civil discourse without being uncivil".

The Guardian

I've heard three episodes of "Uncivil".

The New Yorker

Mostly, "Uncivil" feels valuable and bracingly interesting.

The New Yorker

Just how uncivil is Election 2016?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Uncivil society Slovakia finally has a genuine civil-society movement.

The Economist

Uncivil Society: 1989 and the Implosion of the Communist Establishment.

The Economist

For years he endured two uncivil bosses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly uncivil" to soften criticism, making it sound less harsh. It's ideal when you want to point out a minor breach of etiquette without being overly judgmental.

Common error

While "slightly uncivil" is acceptable for everyday conversation, be cautious when using it in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "somewhat impolite" or "mildly disrespectful" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly uncivil" functions as an adjectival modifier, adding a nuanced description to a noun or action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it qualifies the degree of uncivil behavior, indicating a mild form of impoliteness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly uncivil" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English to describe behavior that is somewhat rude or impolite, but not overtly so. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is an adverb + adjective construction used to soften criticism. While its frequency is rare, the phrase appears in reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, predominantly in the News & Media context. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "somewhat impolite" or "mildly disrespectful" may be more appropriate. When using "slightly uncivil", remember it's best used to point out minor breaches of etiquette gently, without being overly judgmental.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat impolite

Replaces "uncivil" with "impolite" maintaining the meaning of a lack of politeness, "somewhat" keeps the mild intensity.

slightly ill-mannered

Replaces "uncivil" with "ill-mannered", meaning having bad manners and keeps the term 'slightly'.

a bit rude

Uses "rude" instead of "uncivil" and "a bit" to convey the slight degree.

mildly disrespectful

Substitutes "uncivil" with "disrespectful" and "slightly" with "mildly", keeping the sense of a minor offense.

somewhat discourteous

Replaces "uncivil" with "discourteous", meaning a lack of courtesy. "Somewhat" keeps the tone of mild intensity.

a touch impudent

Replaces "uncivil" with "impudent", suggesting a slight boldness or disrespect. "A touch" keeps the nuance of 'slightly'.

rather unrefined

Changes "uncivil" to "unrefined", indicating a lack of polish or sophistication. "Rather" conveys a moderate degree.

a shade uncouth

Replaces "uncivil" with "uncouth", referring to a lack of good manners. "A shade" suggests a minimal degree.

marginally inappropriate

Uses "inappropriate" instead of "uncivil", suggesting a lack of suitability or fittingness. "Marginally" indicates a small degree.

just a tad ungracious

Replaces "uncivil" with "ungracious", indicating a lack of gratitude or charm. "Just a tad" conveys a minimal degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly uncivil" to describe actions or words that are somewhat rude or impolite. For example, "His comments during the meeting were "slightly uncivil", making some team members uncomfortable."

What's the difference between "slightly uncivil" and "rude"?

"Slightly uncivil" implies a milder form of impoliteness compared to "rude", which suggests a more direct and offensive behavior. "Slightly uncivil" is a gentler way to point out a lack of manners.

What can I say instead of "slightly uncivil"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat impolite", "a bit rude", or "mildly disrespectful" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone is "slightly uncivil"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and understandable to describe someone's behavior as ""slightly uncivil"". It suggests that their behavior is somewhat lacking in civility or politeness, but not to a severe degree.