sort of embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of mild embarrassment or awkwardness about a situation. Example: "I thought I was being funny, but it turned out to be sort of embarrassing when no one laughed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It just seems sort of embarrassing.

The Guardian

I cried so much it was sort of embarrassing.

The Guardian

Sort of embarrassing, now that a Kurd is head of state next door in Iraq.

The Economist

"So it's sort of a victory for science, even if it's sort of embarrassing for the BCS". In the future, Colley plans to download scores from six different sources and compare them to insure that no scores are omitted.

Princeton University

Isn't that sort of embarrassing news for David Cameron?

The Guardian - Business

"It's sort of embarrassing," Roberts told me, of her occasional bloopers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's almost touching now to read the breathless, sort-of embarrassing "Special Commemorative Issue" that Sports Illustrated published in 1998 to honor the "Great Home Run Race" between the juicers McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

The New Yorker

July 22: WikiLeaks releases the stolen emails, shedding light on all sorts of embarrassing internal details involving Clinton and the DNC.

The Washington Post

The attack which saw hackers - presumed to be from North Korea - take over the computer system of Sony Pictures and release all sorts of embarrassing information began with emails designed to trick executives into handing over their Apple ID credentials.

BBC

Kind of embarrassing.

The New Yorker

It was kind of embarrassing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations that cause light discomfort or mild shame, use "sort of embarrassing" to convey a sense of understatement, avoiding stronger terms that might overemphasize the negative feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of embarrassing" when the situation warrants a stronger description, such as "deeply humiliating" or "utterly mortifying". Use it appropriately for minor, less severe instances of embarrassment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of embarrassing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that induces a mild feeling of shame or awkwardness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sort of embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that expresses a mild feeling of shame or awkwardness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile enough for everyday conversation, yet also appears in academic and news contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is most often employed in News & Media, and it is essential to consider alternatives like "a little awkward" or "somewhat humiliating" when a more precise or formal expression is required. Understanding its function and communicative purpose helps ensure its effective and appropriate use in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat humiliating

Replaces "embarrassing" with "humiliating" and "sort of" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly stronger degree of discomfort.

a little awkward

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "awkward" and uses "a little" instead of "sort of", shifting the focus to social unease.

mildly mortifying

Replaces "embarrassing" with "mortifying", suggesting a sense of shame, and uses "mildly" instead of "sort of".

slightly discomfiting

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "discomfiting" and "sort of" with "slightly", indicating a feeling of unease.

kind of cringe-worthy

Replaces "embarrassing" with "cringe-worthy" and "sort of" with "kind of", highlighting a reaction of discomfort or secondhand embarrassment.

a tad humiliating

Uses "humiliating" to replace "embarrassing" and "a tad" for "sort of", softening the expression while emphasizing the shaming aspect.

pretty awkward

Replaces "embarrassing" with "awkward", emphasizing the social discomfort, and increases the intensity with "pretty".

marginally shameful

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "shameful" and uses "marginally" instead of "sort of", emphasizing a minor sense of guilt or disgrace.

fairly awkward

Uses "awkward" instead of "embarrassing" and "fairly" instead of "sort of", highlighting the social discomfort with a moderate intensity.

somewhat awkward

It replaces "embarrassing" with "awkward" and maintains a similar level of intensity with "somewhat".

FAQs

How can I use "sort of embarrassing" in a sentence?

"Sort of embarrassing" is typically used to describe a situation that causes mild discomfort or awkwardness. For example, "It was "sort of embarrassing" when I tripped in front of everyone."

What are some alternatives to "sort of embarrassing"?

Alternatives include "a little awkward", "somewhat humiliating", or "mildly mortifying", depending on the degree of embarrassment you want to convey.

Is "sort of embarrassing" formal or informal?

"Sort of embarrassing" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In professional contexts, consider using more formal alternatives.

What's the difference between "sort of embarrassing" and "very embarrassing"?

"Sort of embarrassing" implies a mild level of discomfort or awkwardness, while "very embarrassing" indicates a much stronger and more significant level of embarrassment. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you wish to express.