sort of mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of mean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat unkind or harsh, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I thought her comment was sort of mean, even if she didn't intend to hurt my feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Or sort of mean.

The New York Times - Sports

"Leftwing doesn't sort of mean anything any more.

The Guardian - Music

And what sort of mean spirit, knowing her, could even imagine such a thing?

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, Tessa is forced to take an elective class so she plumps for working on the unreadably dull school newspaper, which she renames "The Chatterer" and fills with the sort of mean gossip that gets everyone OMG-ing like crazy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tears fill Georges's eyes, and ours, too, as we realize that his great sadness as a parent is not that his son is straight there are a couple of perfunctory jokes on that subject but that his son is conventional, and sort of mean in his conventionality: hasn't Georges raised him not only to tolerate difference but to be oblivious of it?

The New Yorker

"I've never seen a check from a comedy special," he told Terry Gross on NPR's "Fresh Air". Louis C. K. portrays himself as a working stiff, a 44-year-old divorced father who is capable of telling sort of mean jokes about his own children.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I always sort-of meant to kind-of get around to paring down the meat in my meals, and I always sort-of meant to kind-of get around to decreasing my drinking.

The New York Times

"Which sort of means that nothing really happens here".

The Guardian

Wasn't he sort of meant to die?

The Guardian - Film

"It's sort of meant to be funny," smirks Walter.

The Guardian - Music

Everybody nowadays uses this sort of means to their various ends.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of mean" to soften criticism or express mild disapproval without being overly harsh. It's ideal for informal contexts where directness might be inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of mean" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more precise and nuanced language that accurately reflects the level of negativity you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of mean" functions as a qualifier, modifying the adjective "mean". It softens the intensity of the adjective, indicating a milder degree of unkindness. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples where "sort of mean" describes actions or comments that aren't outright malicious but still carry a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sort of mean" serves as a useful tool for expressing mild disapproval or tempered criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is generally considered grammatically correct and most appropriate for informal and neutral settings. While its flexibility allows it to feature in news articles, it's generally not suitable for use in professional or formal contexts where more precise language is expected. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase, as this might make your writing sound monotonous. When in doubt, consider more formal alternatives such as "somewhat unkind" or "slightly harsh".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unkind

This alternative uses "unkind" instead of "mean", softening the expression slightly.

a bit harsh

This alternative conveys a similar level of mild criticism using the word "harsh".

kind of nasty

This alternative employs "nasty" to suggest a similar degree of unpleasantness.

slightly cruel

This alternative replaces "mean" with "cruel", indicating a mild form of causing pain or suffering.

rather unpleasant

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing something being somewhat disagreeable.

marginally malicious

This alternative suggests a slight intention to cause harm or negativity.

a little spiteful

This alternative suggests a petty desire to cause annoyance, insult, or displeasure.

mildly offensive

This alternative describes something that has the potential to cause hurt feelings.

slightly ill-natured

This alternative expresses a minor lack of kindness or good temper.

not very nice

This is a simple, straightforward alternative that expresses a similar sentiment.

FAQs

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

You can use "sort of mean" to describe actions or statements that are mildly unkind. For example, "I thought her comment was "sort of mean", even if she didn't intend to be hurtful."

What's a more formal alternative to "sort of mean"?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "somewhat unkind", "slightly harsh", or "rather unpleasant" instead of "sort of mean".

Is "sort of mean" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sort of mean" is grammatically correct. It's a common idiom used to express mild negativity.

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

"Sort of mean" implies a milder form of unkindness compared to "very mean", which indicates a higher degree of negativity and intent.