somewhat slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat slow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not fast, but not extremely slow either, indicating a moderate pace. Example: "The internet connection was somewhat slow, making it difficult to stream videos without buffering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

SERVICE -- Somewhat slow.

The New York Times

Vera, a quiet, overweight, somewhat slow girl, was painfully shy.

The New Yorker

More remarkable still, the runners were considered somewhat slow.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Filjak took a somewhat slow tempo and produced shrouds of milky piano sound.

The New York Times - Arts

So it's going to be a somewhat slow process to recover from all the flooding".

The New York Times

Ballet Theater's first performance of the piece was full of promise but felt somewhat slow.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

And, being a somewhat slow-witted eight-year-old, I ate them.

The Guardian

Harry looks up from his porridge; his aggrieved face every bit the one you'd expect to see on the somewhat slow-witted Derek Smalls.

The Guardian - Music

And it certainly would also have to involve a conversation over a technology that can turn a pistol into the equivalent of a somewhat slow-moving machine gun.

The New York Times

And Twitter has been notoriously seen as somewhat slow-moving in the product category, only recently starting to address things like abuse and harassment problems through product changes.

TechCrunch

Banksia canei is somewhat slow-growing in cultivation, and takes around five to seven years to flower from seed.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "somewhat slow" to indicate that the speed is a noticeable, but not critical, drawback. This conveys a balanced perspective.

Common error

In formal contexts, overuse of "somewhat slow" can sound vague. Replace it with more precise terms like "moderately delayed" or "relatively gradual" to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat slow" functions as an adverb-adjective construction, where "somewhat" modifies the adjective "slow". According to Ludwig AI, this usage is correct. It's used to qualify the degree of slowness, indicating it's present but not extreme.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat slow" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a moderate degree of slowness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Its prevalence in contexts like news, media, and scientific publications underscores its versatility. While not the most formal choice, it is broadly acceptable. When looking for alternative options to "somewhat slow" consider more specific options such as "moderately sluggish" or "a bit unhurried" in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately sluggish

Emphasizes a lack of energy or quickness, similar to being slightly inactive or lethargic.

a bit unhurried

Focuses on the lack of haste or rush, implying a relaxed pace.

rather leisurely

Highlights the relaxed and unhurried nature of the pace, often implying enjoyment.

slightly delayed

Indicates a minor postponement or retardation in timing.

relatively gradual

Stresses the smooth, unhurried progression or change over time.

kind of plodding

Suggests a heavy and laborious movement or progress.

somewhat deliberate

Emphasizes intention and carefulness in a slower action.

a little stagnant

Indicates a lack of movement or progress, suggesting inactivity.

passably unexpedited

Highlights the state of not being accelerated or rushed, potentially due to intention or design. This is the most technical alternative of the list.

appreciably laggard

Focuses on falling behind or making slow progress, implying a comparison to a desired or expected pace.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat slow" to describe various things. For example, "The service at the restaurant was "somewhat slow"", or "The adoption of new technologies was "somewhat slow"".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat slow"?

Alternatives to "somewhat slow" include "moderately sluggish", "a bit unhurried", or "rather leisurely", depending on the context.

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

While "somewhat slow" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "moderately sluggish" or "relatively gradual" might be more suitable in certain formal contexts.

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

"Somewhat slow" indicates a moderate degree of slowness, while "very slow" implies a significant or extreme degree of slowness. "Somewhat slow" suggests it's noticeable but not debilitating, whereas "very slow" suggests a major impediment.