somewhat at ease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat at ease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being moderately comfortable or relaxed in a situation. Example: "After a long day at work, I finally felt somewhat at ease as I settled into my favorite chair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She was put somewhat at ease by the experts milling around.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Black Comedy gives you a somewhat "ill-at-ease" feeling when your are not used to watching and reading topics like death, suicide, drugs, gore and even...sex...sex

WikiHow

Republicans today were somewhat ill at ease.

The New York Times

Being given the chance to stage them, at least, should make China feel somewhat more at ease with the outside world.

The Economist

Romário, the former striker for the national football team, looked somewhat ill at ease as he declared his vote for impeachment.

The Guardian

The librarian, Walter Bowie Williams, who had gone to college in the North and was somewhat ill at ease in the South, was delighted to share his knowledge with his new disciple.

The New Yorker

But other pieces, ranging from monoliths like the rough humanoid basalt "Age" (1981) to the low, coffin-shaped "Thebes" (1982) of basalt in contrasting tones, seem somewhat ill at ease in the forbidding space around them.

The New York Times - Arts

His political convictions, ideologically supported, call for a total revolutionary restructuring of the government, which he holds to be a dictatorship of the oligarchy, and so he feels somewhat ill at ease in this room full of unscrupulous businessmen, professional soldiers, and political opportunists.

The New Yorker

Google has been reported to be somewhat ill at ease with Samsung's growing dominance over the Android hardware market, but for now the two companies are much stronger together than they are apart, which means we're unlikely to see either side do anything to initiate a rift.

TechCrunch

They are in a loving but often confusing marriage to their husbands who are equally capable and yet somewhat more at ease at a cocktail party.

Huffington Post

When interviewing Branson, as well as during our other conversations, I found a man who is every bit human (and somewhat ill at ease with public speaking).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's reaction to a situation, use "somewhat at ease" to show they are becoming more comfortable but not fully relaxed. For instance: "After the initial shock, she became somewhat at ease."

Common error

Don't use "somewhat at ease" if the person is completely relaxed or comfortable. Use a stronger phrase like "completely at ease" or "entirely comfortable" instead to accurately reflect their state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat at ease" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a partial state of comfort or relaxation. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. Example: "She was put "somewhat at ease" by the experts milling around."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat at ease" is a useful tool for describing a moderate level of comfort or reduced anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "somewhat at ease" is appropriate for general use, it's important to be mindful of the context and avoid overstating the level of comfort. More formal alternatives like "moderately relaxed" or stronger phrases like "completely at ease" may be more appropriate in certain situations. When aiming for precision in describing emotional states, understanding these nuances can significantly improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly comfortable

Changes "at ease" to "comfortable", implying a marginal increase in comfort level.

moderately relaxed

Replaces "at ease" with "relaxed", emphasizing a reduction in tension or anxiety.

relatively calm

Substitutes "at ease" with "calm", focusing on the absence of agitation.

a bit more comfortable

Adds "more" to the phrase, emphasizing a slight improvement in the state of comfort.

somewhat relieved

Replaces "at ease" with "relieved", suggesting a reduction in stress or worry.

a little less anxious

Focuses on the decrease in anxiety rather than the feeling of ease.

fairly composed

Implies a higher degree of self-control and calmness than "at ease".

partially soothed

Suggests that the feeling of unease has been lessened, but not completely removed.

slightly reassured

Focuses on the feeling of confidence and security being increased to some extent.

somewhat pacified

Implies that a source of agitation has been partially calmed or quieted.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat at ease" in a sentence?

Use "somewhat at ease" to describe a state of moderate comfort or reduced anxiety. Example: "She felt "somewhat at ease" after hearing the positive news".

What's a more formal alternative to "somewhat at ease"?

In a formal context, consider using "moderately relaxed" or "relatively calm" as alternatives to "somewhat at ease".

What's the difference between "somewhat at ease" and "completely at ease"?

"Somewhat at ease" implies a partial reduction in tension or discomfort, while "completely at ease" suggests a state of total relaxation and comfort.

When should I use "somewhat ill at ease" instead of "somewhat at ease"?

Use "somewhat ill at ease" when you want to express that someone is slightly uncomfortable or anxious, the opposite of being "somewhat at ease".