somewhat grave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat grave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, tone, or demeanor that is serious or solemn to a moderate extent. Example: "The news of the accident was somewhat grave, prompting a somber discussion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pettitte emerged from his deposition with a serious, somewhat grave expression, accompanied by his wife and three lawyers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her features are grave and somewhat inscrutable, and she is at once a watchful, reactive presence in the world of Panem and a determined, free-thinking actor within it.

The New York Times

It also made Graves a somewhat paradoxical figure in our culture.

Huffington Post

The prince, misinterpreting matters somewhat, promptly slew Gelert, whose grave ("bedd") can be found on the banks of the Glaslyn river.

The Guardian - Travel

The fetus appears to occupy a more central position in the pit, in contact with the spears, while the second was found somewhat toward the side of the grave.

Los Angeles Times

Somewhat surprisingly, in I Spit On Your Grave, Jennifer doesn't actually get round to spitting on anyone's grave.

The Guardian - Film

Consequently, it is somewhat heretical to hear Mr. Romney express grave concern about the potential economic impact of embracing the conservative consensus and slashing the deficit quickly.

The New York Times

The former first minister, Henry McLeish, was somewhat ponderously berating a nationalist for a grave offence which, because of parliamentary convention, he could not mention, but it began with H and ended with Y.

The Guardian

St. Andrew's is built of honey-colored stone, its churchyard full of old stones, old graves, well-kept but arranged somewhat haphazardly.

The New Yorker

The name Oz turns out to be somewhat fancifully symbolic: with a genial smile or a grave look of concern alternating on his face, he proceeds to become the granter of many a family wish.

The New York Times

Though they agreed on some issues, they differed somewhat on whether it would take a crime or "similarly grave" action to impeach the governor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat grave", ensure the context aligns with a situation that warrants a degree of seriousness without being overly dramatic. For example, use it to describe a tone, expression, or situation that is serious but not dire.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat grave" when the situation is clearly lighthearted or trivial, as it can create an incongruous and potentially humorous effect. Reserve it for situations where a degree of solemnity is genuinely appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat grave" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun with a specific quality of seriousness or solemnity. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it modifies nouns like "expression" to indicate a partially serious demeanor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat grave" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit rare in occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Use "somewhat grave" to describe situations that are serious without being dire, allowing you to communicate a nuanced level of concern. Be mindful of overstating the seriousness in trivial contexts, and consider alternatives like "rather serious" or "slightly solemn" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat serious

Direct synonym, maintaining the same level of intensity.

a little grave

Mirrors the original phrase with a slightly lighter tone.

moderately serious

Highlights the moderate extent of the seriousness.

rather serious

Emphasizes the seriousness of the situation to a slightly higher degree.

fairly serious

Emphasizes the considerable degree of seriousness.

reasonably serious

Implies that there's a good reason for concern without being overly dramatic.

a bit serious

Indicates a mild level of seriousness.

kind of serious

Maintains a casual tone while indicating concern.

slightly solemn

Focuses on the solemn aspect of the situation, implying a formal or dignified seriousness.

somewhat weighty

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat grave" to describe someone's expression or the atmosphere of a situation. For example, "The news of the layoffs cast a "somewhat grave" shadow over the office."

What's a similar phrase to "somewhat grave"?

Alternatives to "somewhat grave" include "rather serious", "a bit serious", or "slightly solemn". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "somewhat grave" or "very grave"?

The choice between "somewhat grave" and "very grave" depends on the degree of seriousness. "Somewhat grave" suggests a moderate level of concern, while "very grave" indicates a more critical or severe situation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "somewhat grave"?

"Somewhat grave" is suitable when discussing situations that warrant attention and concern but do not reach the level of being extremely serious or life-threatening. It's often used in news or formal contexts.