somewhat bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not entirely bad but has negative aspects or qualities. Example: "The movie was somewhat bad, lacking a coherent plot and strong character development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The possible climate scenarios we face range from somewhat bad to catastrophic.

The Guardian

Matters depart from the routine when the "somewhat bad" wolf comes in, hungry and in a "VERY bad mood".

The New York Times - Books

1. Extremely bad 2. Very bad 3. Somewhat bad 4. Neither bad nor good 5. Somewhat good 6.

The New York Times

"A lot of my friends dress like this, and so I feel somewhat bad about how I've made a career out of it," she said.

The New York Times

Sample question: "How does it feel to be black and poor?" Suggested answers: "very bad, somewhat bad, neither bad nor good, somewhat good, very good".

The New York Times

Traditionally, the idea of "impulse buying" has been viewed as a somewhat bad thing.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

As for me, I felt pretty bad — and also somewhat surprised.

The New York Times - Magazine

Recent reports have argued for "counter-cyclical" capital raising bank capital requirements a lot in good times, while allowing them to fall somewhat in bad times.

The Economist

A somewhat less bad scenario, envisaged nearly 20 years ago by Jorge Domínguez, a Cuban-born political scientist at Harvard, would see Cuban politics start to resemble Mexico's under the long rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

The Economist

But it was not as chemically resilient as others, since many of Mr Tardif's customers had expressed a need for this particular ink to be removable with bleach in case a fountain pen leaked while in a shirt pocket.Noodler's has since developed a new series of inks resistant to both chemical and laser attack, the most durable of which is called, somewhat eccentrically, Bad Belted Kingfisher.

The Economist

It has one thing going for it: In denied boardings (bumping ticketed passengers because a flight is oversold), it is somewhat less bad than the average airline.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing subjective experiences or opinions, "somewhat bad" is suitable for expressing mild dissatisfaction or concern. For instance, "I felt "somewhat bad" about the decision, but it was necessary."

Common error

While "somewhat bad" is useful for downplaying negativity, avoid using it excessively to the point where it obscures the true severity of a situation. Choose more direct language when the issue is significantly negative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat bad" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, qualifying a noun by indicating a moderate degree of negativity or deficiency. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from assessing health to describing climate scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat bad" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to express a moderate degree of negativity or deficiency. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity. It functions to express a nuanced evaluation, indicating that something is not entirely negative but still possesses undesirable qualities. While suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions, it's best to avoid overuse or understatement in situations requiring stronger language. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "less than ideal" or "subpar".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little bad

Indicates a slightly lower degree of severity than "somewhat bad".

slightly negative

Focuses on the negative aspect, softening the intensity.

rather poor

Emphasizes the quality or performance aspect.

moderately disappointing

Highlights the failure to meet expectations.

not great

A more informal way of expressing something is less than ideal.

a bit off

Suggests something is slightly wrong or incorrect.

subpar

Implies performance below the expected standard.

less than ideal

Formal way to express that something is not perfect or optimal.

not up to par

Idiomatic expression indicating that something doesn't meet expectations or standards.

kind of lousy

Informal expression suggesting poor quality or unpleasantness.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat bad" to describe something that is not completely negative but has notable flaws. For example, "The food was "somewhat bad", but the service was excellent."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat bad"?

Alternatives include "a little bad", "slightly negative", or "rather poor", depending on the context.

Is "somewhat bad" too informal for professional writing?

While "somewhat bad" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "less than ideal" or "subpar" in highly professional contexts to maintain a serious tone.

When should I use a stronger term than "somewhat bad"?

Use a stronger term when the situation warrants it. If something is significantly flawed or negative, words like "terrible", "awful", or "unacceptable" may be more appropriate than the understatement of "somewhat bad".