somewhat inappropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat inappropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not entirely suitable or proper in a given context, often implying a mild level of inappropriateness. Example: "His comments during the meeting were somewhat inappropriate, considering the sensitive nature of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But on New York streets, she added, "they seem somewhat inappropriate".

The New York Times

In the light of the safe conservatism of the show, and the sweet silliness of the designer, this seemed somewhat inappropriate.

The Guardian

Evelyn Waugh, upon seeing their works at a Crete museum in the 1920s, lamented their "somewhat inappropriate predilection for covers of Vogue".

The New York Times - Arts

We use the (somewhat inappropriate) expression "dual feasible" to denote such a solution.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In fact, it seemed somewhat inappropriate to sell sick animals as some pastoralists argued emphatically that they never sold sick animals, even though the survey data showed that some of them had sold sick animals in the previous year.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

I will let others moan about whether the fuss around Ida unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History, pumped up publicity by the National Geographic, a television program with Sir David Attenborough, a book by noted science writer (The Link by Colin Tudge), and more is somewhat inappropriate for science.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Rob at Tanked Up magazine, a free scuba diving magazine that also covers ecological, conservation, and medical issues around diving, wrote: "I just wanted to mention that, given the plight of sharks globally, this article is somewhat unhelpful and inappropriate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Do you want to see him?" he asked Charlotte, and immediately regretted a question that seemed inappropriate, even somewhat craven on his part.

The New Yorker

(128 mins, 12A) Directed by Rachid Bouchareb; starring Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan Rachid Bouchareb's war movie is being shown in the English-speaking world as Days of Glory, which is not entirely inappropriate but somewhat ironic, because the French title is not Jours de Gloire, but Indigenes, which means simply 'natives'natives

The Guardian - Film

This team is also somewhat successful at identifying inappropriate reminders and adapting their processes to address the initiative's local limitations (such as distance and communication barriers between the unit and the central pharmacy), but they have not experienced a push-back from organizational leadership for variations with standard practices on these issues.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The wording is somewhat confusing, as "irrelevant or inappropriate" comments are a subjective judgement that could apply to many topics.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat inappropriate", consider the audience and context to ensure that the level of inappropriateness is accurately conveyed. The phrase suggests a mild degree of impropriety, so it's best suited for situations where the issue is not severely offensive or unsuitable.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat inappropriate" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "completely inappropriate" or "unacceptable". Misusing the phrase can dilute the seriousness of the issue and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat inappropriate" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something is considered inappropriate. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase, which implies a mild level of inappropriateness. It adds nuance by indicating that the subject is not entirely unsuitable or improper.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat inappropriate" is a useful tool for expressing mild disapproval or criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific sources. While it's important to choose the right level of unsuitability and impropriety, this phrase serves as a versatile way to convey that something isn't quite right without being overly critical. When choosing alternative phrasing remember to consider the specific audience and context for the communication. Alternatives include "slightly unsuitable", "mildly improper" and "a bit out of line".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally inappropriate

Replaces "somewhat" with "marginally", indicating a minimal degree of inappropriateness.

slightly unsuitable

Replaces "inappropriate" with "unsuitable" and "somewhat" with "slightly", indicating a minor degree of unsuitability.

mildly improper

Substitutes "inappropriate" with "improper", suggesting a light breach of established rules or customs.

moderately unsuitable

Uses "moderately" to suggest a medium level of unsuitability, between slightly and very.

a bit out of line

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey that something is not quite acceptable or crosses a boundary.

slightly untoward

Replaces "inappropriate" with "untoward", indicating something inconvenient or unwelcome but not severely wrong.

rather unseemly

Employs "unseemly" to denote behavior that is not appropriate and may be considered distasteful, increasing the level of formality.

somewhat out of place

Focuses on the lack of harmony with the environment or situation, rather than moral inappropriateness.

rather questionable

Shifts the focus to raising doubts about the appropriateness, suggesting uncertainty.

a little off-color

Suggests that something is slightly indecent or risqué, often used in the context of jokes or remarks.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat inappropriate" to describe actions, comments, or attire that are not entirely suitable for a given situation. For example, "His joke was "somewhat inappropriate" for a formal event."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat inappropriate"?

Alternatives include "slightly unsuitable", "mildly improper", or "a bit out of line", depending on the specific context and the degree of inappropriateness you wish to convey.

Is "somewhat inappropriate" formal or informal?

"Somewhat inappropriate" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. Its suitability depends on the context, but it is usually acceptable in professional and academic settings.

What's the difference between "somewhat inappropriate" and "completely inappropriate"?

"Somewhat inappropriate" suggests a mild degree of unsuitability, while "completely inappropriate" indicates that something is entirely unsuitable and unacceptable. The choice depends on the severity of the situation.