sorely tempted

USAGE SUMMARY

'sorely tempted' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is strongly tempted to do something, usually something that they know they shouldn't do. For example, "She was sorely tempted to take the money from the cash register, but in the end she decided against it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But you must have been sorely tempted.

The Guardian - Sport

I was tempted, but not sorely tempted.

The New York Times

The Economist, to be frank, is sorely tempted.

The Economist

I am sorely tempted never to remove it again.

Independent

I often feel sorely tempted to say something.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But in every case they were sorely tempted.

The Guardian

Some will be sorely tempted to do so.

The Guardian

But the veteran deal maker must be sorely tempted to go on a spending spree.

The New York Times

(Although if the Republicans actually nominate Newt Gingrich, he might be sorely tempted).

The New York Times

Iraq wasn't Obama's war; he'll be sorely tempted to want to put it behind him.

The New Yorker

"I was sorely tempted, but reason prevailed," Mr. Christie said, of using a conditional veto.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorely tempted" to convey a strong sense of attraction to something, especially when it involves resisting a potentially unwise decision. This adds depth to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid overusing "sorely tempted" in situations where the temptation is minor or insignificant. This phrase works best when the stakes are high and the internal conflict is palpable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorely tempted" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "tempted". It describes the degree to which someone is experiencing temptation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorely tempted" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to convey a strong sense of temptation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki contexts, it effectively illustrates internal conflict and intense desires. The phrase's versatility is demonstrated by its presence across both formal and informal registers. When using "sorely tempted", it is advisable to reserve it for significant temptations, avoiding overuse in trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very tempted

Expresses a strong degree of temptation, similar to "sorely tempted" but potentially less intense.

highly tempted

Similar to "very tempted", this emphasizes the high degree of temptation experienced.

strongly inclined

Indicates a powerful leaning towards a particular action or decision, highlighting the pull or attraction.

greatly desired

Focuses on the strong wish or longing for something, emphasizing the aspirational aspect of the temptation.

had a strong urge

Emphasizes the internal impulse driving the temptation, indicating a powerful feeling.

almost succumbed

Highlights the nearness to giving in to the temptation, suggesting a struggle against it.

felt a powerful draw

Focuses on the attractive power of the temptation, making it seem almost irresistible.

on the verge of

Implies a point of decision where the temptation is extremely close to being acted upon.

couldn't resist the urge

Highlights an inability to control the strong desire.

yearned to

Implies a deep and emotional longing, adding a layer of wistfulness to the temptation.

FAQs

How can I use "sorely tempted" in a sentence?

You can use "sorely tempted" to describe a situation where someone is strongly attracted to something, often something they know they shouldn't do. For example, "I was "sorely tempted" to skip work and go to the beach."

What is a synonym for "sorely tempted"?

A synonym for "sorely tempted" could be "very tempted", "strongly inclined", or "highly tempted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "sorely tempted" and "slightly tempted"?

"Sorely tempted" indicates a strong, almost irresistible desire, while "slightly tempted" suggests a milder inclination. The degree of temptation is significantly different.

Is it correct to say "I am sorely tempting"?

No, "I am sorely tempting" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "I am "sorely tempted"", which means that you are experiencing a strong temptation.