somewhat clumsy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat clumsy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is awkward or lacking grace, whether in physical movement or in the execution of an idea or task. Example: "His attempt to dance at the party was somewhat clumsy, drawing laughter from the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Patterson is unsentimental about his early, somewhat clumsy attempts at popular fiction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead it feels like a blunt, somewhat clumsy statement about our times.

The New York Times - Arts

But by Mr. Albee's elegant standards, it's a somewhat clumsy hybrid.

The New York Times

That's what Cruz was trying to tap into in his somewhat clumsy distinction with Trump.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Romney has made a somewhat clumsy opening gambit as a potential overseas ambassador for the US.

The Guardian

Colorado followed a somewhat clumsy season-opening victory over Colorado State with a 52-7 loss to its future Pac-10 rival California.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

At school, he quickly becomes friends with Yosuke Hanamura, the somewhat-clumsy son of the manager of the local Junes megastore; Chie Satonaka, an energetic girl with a strong interest in martial arts; and Yukiko Amagi, a calm and refined girl who helps out at her family's inn.

Wikipedia

It's slightly clumsy, though.

TechCrunch

To Brand's credit, he's since refined the clumsy, somewhat narcissistic statements of that Paxman interview into a sustained activist practice – appearing at demonstrations as well as consciousness-raising events around the globe.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is somewhat marred by the clumsy rendition of the posture of one of the two women whose left leg seems inordinately long.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, there is no label whose fortunes seem so intertwined with hip-hop's own, tracing the genre's growth from cottage industry in the 80s via blue-chip market leader in the early noughties to today's clumsy and somewhat grotesque behemoth (last year Def Jam even signed execrable tweeny rappers N-Dubz).

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat clumsy" to describe actions or movements that are not severely clumsy but still noticeably awkward or uncoordinated. It adds a nuanced level of imprecision to the description.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "somewhat clumsy" in formal or professional contexts. While grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "slightly uncoordinated" or "a bit awkward", depending on the intended audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat clumsy" functions as an adverbial modifier to an adjective. 'Somewhat' modifies the adjective 'clumsy', indicating a degree or extent of clumsiness. According to Ludwig's analysis, this construction is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat clumsy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions to qualify and soften the adjective "clumsy". According to Ludwig, its use is correct and suitable across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific domains. When choosing to employ this phrase, be mindful of its level of formality and consider more nuanced alternatives if a more sophisticated tone is required. As showed by multiple authoritative sources this is an effective way to convey a moderate lack of skill or coordination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch clumsy

Uses "a touch" to soften the intensity of the adjective "clumsy".

a bit awkward

Replaces "clumsy" with "awkward" to focus on social discomfort rather than physical inelegance.

moderately awkward

Replaces "clumsy" with "awkward" and uses "moderately" for a more direct intensity.

rather ungraceful

Emphasizes the lack of grace, presenting a more refined description.

slightly inept

Focuses on a lack of skill or competence rather than physical clumsiness.

a little uncoordinated

Highlights the lack of coordination, specifying the reason behind the clumsiness.

somewhat unskillful

Similar to "slightly inept", but uses "unskillful" to underscore the absence of expertise.

not very agile

Focuses on a lack of agility, which is a specific aspect of physical coordination.

kind of maladroit

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for clumsy, suggesting a social or practical awkwardness.

rather ham-fisted

Employs a more colorful idiom to suggest a lack of delicacy and finesse.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat clumsy" to describe actions, movements, or even designs that exhibit a degree of awkwardness or lack of finesse. For example, "His dance moves were somewhat clumsy", or "The interface design felt somewhat clumsy and unintuitive".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat clumsy"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit awkward", "rather ungraceful", or "slightly inept", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "somewhat clumsy"?

Yes, "somewhat clumsy" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates a moderate degree of clumsiness.

What's the difference between "somewhat clumsy" and "very clumsy"?

"Somewhat clumsy" implies a mild or moderate degree of clumsiness, while "very clumsy" indicates a higher, more pronounced degree of clumsiness. The choice depends on the extent of the awkwardness you want to convey.