sort of relieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of relieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild or partial feeling of relief about a situation. Example: "After hearing the good news, I felt sort of relieved that everything would be okay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I was sort of relieved when I realized it was going to be me.

The New York Times

Though mostly behind the American, the crowd on Ashe gave the same sort of relieved cheer all tennis crowds do when seeing a "double bagel" prevented.

The New York Times

"I was sort of relieved when I went and watched it again, within the space of weeks after Mark Williams-Thomas's programme [on Savile] came out.

The Guardian - Film

According to Mrs. Madoff, who has been living in seclusion in Florida, she and her husband "were both in agreement — we were both sort of relieved to leave this place.

The New York Times

"We talked, and he was sort of relieved when I told him, 'Your obligation is to your team.' He's been getting treatment on that heel just about every start".

The New York Times - Sports

"But our paths seem to have crossed consistently over the years and I was sort of relieved that he had gone into a bit of a quiet period until this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's kind of a bummer that someone so cool has to be caught up in such an ugly scene, but also sort of relieving to know that there are decent and caring minds behind the creepy PLO and Hezbollah masks (or some of them at least).

Vice

"I sort of felt relieved that I didn't go to school for nothing and could go and do what I want to do, like everyone else in this country," she said.

The New York Times

I sort of agree.

The New York Times

But even the younger Kip is painfully disassociated from his surroundings: the war, the entourage at the general's residence and the handful of women — a Muslim student, a nurse, an officer's wife — he (sort of) hopes will relieve him of his virginity.

The New York Times - Books

But that sort of exception illustrates another aspect of the lost tradition of relieving commanders: the military had some flexibility in enforcing it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "somewhat relieved" or "kind of relieved" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of relieved" when you want to express complete or overwhelming relief. This phrase indicates a partial or mild sense of easing of anxiety. For stronger relief, use phrases like "completely relieved" or "immensely relieved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of relieved" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying the adjective "relieved". It indicates a degree or extent of the feeling of relief. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sort of relieved" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for conveying a partial or mild sense of relief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to modify the adjective "relieved", indicating a degree of lessened anxiety. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal options such as "somewhat relieved" may be preferred for academic or professional writing. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media sources. Therefore, use "sort of relieved" when you want to communicate a moderate easing of worry, acknowledging that the situation isn't entirely resolved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat relieved

Indicates a degree of relief, similar to "sort of relieved" but perhaps slightly more formal.

a little relieved

Suggests a minor degree of relief, emphasizing the slightness of the feeling.

kind of relieved

An informal equivalent to "sort of relieved", conveying a similar level of mitigated relief.

partially relieved

Highlights the incomplete nature of the relief experienced.

slightly relieved

Emphasizes the subtlety and mildness of the relief.

moderately relieved

Conveys a more noticeable degree of relief than "sort of", but still not complete.

vaguely relieved

Suggests the relief is not strongly felt or clearly defined.

relatively relieved

Implies relief compared to a previous state, rather than complete relief.

marginally relieved

Suggests a very small degree of relief, barely perceptible.

somewhat comforted

Shifts the focus slightly to comfort, but still expresses a reduction in worry or stress.

FAQs

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

You can use "sort of relieved" to describe a feeling of partial or slight relief. For example: "I was "sort of relieved" when I realized I didn't have to present at the meeting." Using "sort of" softens the feeling, making it less intense.

What are some alternatives to saying "sort of relieved"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat relieved", "a little relieved", or "kind of relieved". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sort of relieved" in formal writing?

While "sort of relieved" is grammatically correct, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, you might prefer "somewhat relieved" or "partially relieved" as more suitable options.

What's the difference between "sort of relieved" and "completely relieved"?

"Sort of relieved" implies a partial or incomplete sense of relief, suggesting that some worries or concerns remain. "Completely relieved", on the other hand, indicates a total absence of worry or stress. The degree of relief differs substantially.