slightly unwieldy

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly unwieldy" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is somewhat difficult to manage or handle. For example: "The proposal was slightly unwieldy, making it hard to present clearly." Alternative expressions include "somewhat cumbersome" and "a bit awkward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The proposed project goes by the slightly unwieldy acronym Wfirst, for Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope.

The New York Times - Science

A good, cohesive account of a brilliant but slightly unwieldy work.

The New York Times - Arts

Under the equitable but slightly unwieldy moniker Stranahan Zaleski Rosato, they have released two albums on the Capri label: "Anticipation," in 2011, and "Limitless," last month.

The New York Times - Arts

That ensemble, which goes under the slightly unwieldy name Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israel Broadcasting Authority, gave a powerful account of itself on Tuesday evening at Carnegie Hall.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, there was something slightly unwieldy and old-style Handel about such a mass of voices, even if it seems lacking in the spirit of Christmas to say so.

The Guardian - Music

(These contradictions are responsible for the slightly unwieldy title, "Beloved/Friend".) Jaume's life could be represented by another of Mr. Pons's films, "Damned Misery," though that title could easily be applied to a number of his features.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

After officially dissolving the band, in 1990, Lowery formed the more conventional Cracker, flirting ever closer to mainstream accessibility with less unwieldy (though no less smarmy) slightly countrified power pop.

The New Yorker

Although this type of point sets may be generated through the minimization of a slightly modified electrostatic potential, the optimization procedure becomes unwieldy when the size of the point set increases beyond a few thousands.

Journal of Computational Science

The end result is a phone somehow manages to feel nicer in the hand than its slightly larger counterpart — the first One wasn't unwieldy by any stretch, but its little brother fit more comfortably in my hefty mitts.

TechCrunch

But sluggish economic growth has continued to be a drag on federal balance sheets, and debt is expected to rise to an unwieldy 106% of GDP by 2039, slightly more than the 102% projected by the CBO last year.

Los Angeles Times

Brand new rasps may feel too sharp and unwieldy, so if you are trimming your horses hooves for the first time you may prefer to use a slightly worn or used rasp.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply this phrase when describing long titles, complex acronyms or physical objects that are just a bit too large for comfort.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly unwieldy" to describe something that is completely broken or impossible to use. The adverb 'slightly' implies that the item is still functional or manageable despite its awkwardness.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as an adjective phrase where the adverb 'slightly' modifies the adjective 'unwieldy'. According to Ludwig, it serves to qualify the intensity of the adjective, making the description more precise and less absolute.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly unwieldy" is a highly effective phrase for writers who need to express that something is difficult to manage or handle without being overly harsh. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is particularly useful for describing long names, complex organizational structures or physical hardware that is a bit too big. When using this phrase, remember that 'slightly' is key—it suggests a minor hurdle rather than a total obstacle. For more variety, consider alternatives like "<a href="/s/somewhat+cumbersome" target="_blank" rel="alternative">somewhat cumbersome" in formal reports or "<a href="/s/a+bit+clunky" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a bit clunky" in casual tech reviews.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat cumbersome

Uses a slightly more formal adjective often applied to physical objects or administrative processes.

slightly difficult to handle

A more literal and descriptive alternative without the specific nuance of 'unwieldy'.

a bit awkward

More informal and versatile, applicable to social situations as well as physical handling.

slightly ungainly

Focuses more on the lack of grace or aesthetic clumsiness of an object or movement.

moderately unmanageable

Suggests a higher degree of difficulty in control or organization.

a bit clunky

Informal and often used to describe technology, software or mechanical parts.

a little bulky

Specifically refers to physical size and volume rather than general difficulty of use.

marginally inconvenient

Shifts the focus from the object's nature to the user's experience of difficulty.

mildly burdensome

Implies a sense of weight or effort, often used for responsibilities or tasks.

rather impractical

Suggests that the object's design makes it difficult to use for its intended purpose.

FAQs

How to use "slightly unwieldy" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical objects or abstract concepts. For example: "The new laptop is powerful but <a href="/s/slightly+unwieldy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">slightly unwieldy for travel."

What can I say instead of "slightly unwieldy"?

Depending on the context, you can use "<a href="/s/somewhat+cumbersome" target="_blank" rel="alternative">somewhat cumbersome", "<a href="/s/a+bit+awkward" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a bit awkward" or "<a href="/s/a+little+bulky" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a little bulky".

Is "slightly unwieldy" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is acceptable in academic and professional writing, particularly when describing experimental setups or complex nomenclature, as seen in sources like the Journal of Computational Science.

What is the difference between "slightly unwieldy" and "cumbersome"?

While both mean difficult to handle, "<a href="/s/cumbersome" target="_blank" rel="alternative">cumbersome" is often heavier in connotation, while "slightly unwieldy" suggests a minor or manageable degree of awkwardness.