somewhat shaky

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat shaky" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is unstable, uncertain, or lacking in confidence. Example: "Her argument was somewhat shaky, lacking solid evidence." Alternative expressions include "a bit unsteady" and "rather uncertain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Books

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her singing was lively but somewhat shaky.

The New York Times - Arts

Critics will note its episodic, somewhat shaky construction...

The New York Times - Books

On Wednesday evening, at the restaurant, things were somewhat shaky.

The New York Times - Style

And, indictments notwithstanding, his political position seems somewhat shaky.

The New York Times

Critics will note its episodic, somewhat shaky construction.

The New York Times - Books

The poison pill strengthens Illumina's defenses, which have been described as somewhat shaky.

The New York Times

He looked somewhat shaky early on, giving up a few juicy rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

(The reports about what exactly happened are still somewhat shaky and unconfirmed.

The New Yorker

Mr. Davis is 84 and looked somewhat shaky on his feet.

The New York Times - Arts

Not-Woof: This is tricky because your health still seems to be somewhat shaky.

The Washington Post

In spite of a somewhat shaky start, the union proved enduring and happy.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat shaky" ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. It works well in both formal and informal contexts to express a degree of instability without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat shaky" when the situation is clearly critical or disastrous. It can undermine the seriousness of the context. Instead opt for phrases like "highly unstable" or "critically flawed" if the situation warrants a stronger term.

Linguistic Context

Somewhat shaky primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns, indicating a state of instability, uncertainty, or lack of firmness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts, as shown by the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat shaky" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something as unstable, uncertain, or lacking firmness without implying a critical condition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, conveying a moderate degree of precariousness. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as in formal and business settings. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "a bit unstable" or "slightly precarious" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit unstable

Emphasizes the lack of stability more directly.

slightly precarious

Highlights the risk or danger associated with the instability.

a little wobbly

Suggests physical instability or unsteadiness.

rather insecure

Focuses on the lack of security or confidence.

somewhat doubtful

Indicates uncertainty or skepticism about something.

slightly questionable

Implies that something is not entirely trustworthy or reliable.

a touch dicey

Informal way of saying something is risky or uncertain.

a shade uncertain

Emphasizes a mild degree of uncertainty.

a bit touch-and-go

Suggests a situation where the outcome is uncertain and could easily go wrong.

marginally unstable

Highlights the delicate nature of the stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat shaky" to describe something that is unstable, uncertain, or lacking in confidence. For example, "His argument was somewhat shaky, lacking solid evidence".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat shaky"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit unstable", "slightly precarious", or "a little wobbly" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat shaky" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat shaky" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It is a relatively neutral phrase that conveys a moderate degree of uncertainty or instability.

What does "somewhat" add to the meaning of "shaky"?

The word "somewhat" softens the impact of "shaky", indicating that the instability or uncertainty is present but not severe. It suggests a mild or moderate degree of shakiness.