somewhat audacious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat audacious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or idea that is bold or daring, but not excessively so. Example: "Her proposal to completely revamp the company's marketing strategy was somewhat audacious, but it ultimately paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Somewhat audacious to say the least.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I have to say that the pictures that have strong constituencies, and I'd include our 'Moulin Rouge' in that list, are the pictures that took risks, that pushed the boundaries and that were somewhat audacious," he said.

The New York Times

But the word "modest" no longer applies to Newark's free state art museum, whose collection reflects the somewhat eccentric, somewhat audacious choices Dana and others made from the beginning.

The New York Times - Arts

While it's somewhat audacious for a brand-new restaurant to speak of its own tradition, it's right of Pera to showcase this meal, which, at $46 a person, is a noteworthy value, given the array of food, the size of the platters and the appeal of the meat.

The New York Times - Food

In fact, Hazrat in [68] makes the following Conjecture, which at first glance might seem somewhat audacious.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It is pretty audacious," he said.

The New York Times - Health

A fairly audacious decision.

Huffington Post

It's a pretty audacious plan.

Vice

Whistler's only somewhat less audacious tonalist nocturnes and portraits — with paint like "breath on the surface of a pane of glass," he boasted — devolved, through emulation by mediocre followers, into emblems of nouveau-riche gentility.

The New Yorker

The Malmö tower is somewhat cluttered conceptually: the audacious stacked-box idea competes with the even more powerful notion of a twisting skyscraper.

The New Yorker

I agree that their scenaristic smoothing of the way is a sly sentimental cheat; but I think that they're also the purveyors of an even more audacious, and even somewhat admirable, ploy: they've put their characters into archetypal, emotionally live-wire, morally ambiguous dramas which, unfortunately, they short-circuit with quick and easy resolutions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat audacious" to describe plans or actions that push boundaries but remain within the realm of possibility or acceptability. It's ideal when you want to acknowledge the boldness without implying recklessness.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat audacious" when describing genuinely revolutionary or unprecedented actions. Instead, consider stronger terms like "truly audacious" or "unbelievably daring" to match the scale of the endeavor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat audacious" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying the adjective "audacious" to indicate a degree or extent. It serves to soften the impact of "audacious", suggesting a less extreme form of boldness or daring, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat audacious" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is bold or daring, but not excessively so. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the degree of boldness aligns with the intended meaning; avoid using it to describe truly revolutionary actions, instead considering a stronger alternative. By understanding the nuances of "somewhat audacious", you can effectively communicate the appropriate level of boldness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly audacious

Emphasizes the audace, suggesting a reduced intensity.

moderately bold

Focuses on the boldness being present to a moderate degree.

fairly daring

Emphasizes the daring aspect but suggests it's not extreme.

rather venturesome

Highlights the willingness to take risks in a more formal tone.

slightly reckless

Indicates a hint of imprudence or lack of caution.

kind of brazen

Suggests a level of boldness that might be seen as disrespectful.

somewhat presumptuous

Indicates an assumption of privilege or entitlement to a degree.

reasonably courageous

Highlights the element of bravery involved, though not excessively.

slightly intrepid

Focuses on the fearless and adventurous nature, downplaying the risk.

a touch impudent

Suggests a disrespectful or sassy quality, but only to a slight extent.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat audacious" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat audacious" to describe a plan, idea, or action that is bold and daring, but not excessively so. For example, "Her proposal to completely revamp the company's marketing strategy was "somewhat audacious", but it ultimately paid off."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat audacious"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "moderately bold", "fairly daring", or "rather venturesome".

Is "somewhat audacious" formal or informal?

"Somewhat audacious" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the audience and purpose.

Is there a risk of overusing the phrase "somewhat audacious"?

Like any phrase, overuse can diminish its impact. While ""somewhat audacious"" is appropriate in many situations, consider varying your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.