sour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a taste, mood, or situation that is unpleasant or negative. Example: "The milk had gone sour, so I had to throw it away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Zanu-PF has poured scorn on the complaints as sour grapes.

The Guardian

Cameron's move added a sour taste to the highly emotional celebrations among supporters of the union after their decisive win in the referendum.

The Guardian

4 Serve with some mango chutney or a cooling, sour cream dip to combat the heat of the jerk seasoning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The only sour note of the day came after Alex Salmond, the former Scottish first minister, said that Kennedy's heart had not been in the pro-UK Better Together campaign during last year's independence referendum campaign.

The Guardian

In the early 1990s, thousands of American troops withdrew from Somalia in disarray after a badly planned anti-famine intervention went sour.

The Guardian

Upstairs, the barman would thoroughly prepare a pisco sour, the national drink, at any time of day.

The Guardian - Travel

The only sour note for the Tigers was a calf injury to Chris Knights midway through the second quarter.

The Guardian - Sport

Serves 2 1 tbsp olive oil ½ onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and chopped (leave the seeds in if you like it very hot) 1 tsp tomato puree ½ tsp ground cumin 1 x 400g tin tomatoes 4 eggs 2 tortillas 2 tbsp sour cream 1 Heat the oil in a medium saucepan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This lip-smacking recipe is cut through with sour lime, earthy coriander, garlic and ginger.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The last time the American Ballet Theatre performed in Cuba, Fidel Castro had been in power for barely a year and relations between Washington and Havana were yet to turn sour.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

One of my favourite incarnations of Sicily's gutsy seafood: fried fillets of sardines swimming in a glorious sweet-sour sauce of melted onions and Mediterranean herbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing flavors, consider the intensity of the taste. Use "tart" for a mildly acidic taste and "sour" for a more intense or unpleasant acidity.

Common error

While "sour" can describe moods or situations, overuse can weaken your writing. Use more precise words like "bitter", "acrimonious", or "disgruntled" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "sour" functions primarily as an adjective, describing the quality of a taste, smell, or even a mood. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its descriptive role, such as "sour milk" or "sour look".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Travel

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sour" is a versatile word primarily functioning as an adjective to describe unpleasant tastes, smells, moods, or situations. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, fitting into neutral contexts across various sources such as news, lifestyle, and sports. When choosing synonyms, consider the specific shade of meaning you want to convey, such as "acidic" for taste or "acrimonious" for relationships. Remember, while versatile, overuse in metaphorical contexts can weaken your writing. By being precise and context-aware, you can effectively use "sour" to add depth and clarity to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acidic

Refers specifically to the chemical property of being acidic, similar to one aspect of "sour".

tart

Describes a sharp, often pleasant, acidic taste; milder than "sour".

bitter

Indicates a sharp, unpleasant taste, related to "sour" in terms of negative sensory experience.

rancid

Describes a spoiled, bad-tasting, or smelling condition, implying a more extreme form of "sour" in food.

unpleasant

A general term for something disagreeable, which "sour" can often be.

disagreeable

Similar to unpleasant, denoting something not to one's liking.

acrimonious

Describes bitterness and ill-feeling, mirroring the negative connotation of "sour" in relationships or situations.

embittered

Describes someone who is resentful or cynical, similar to the "sour" mood.

turned

Indicates that something has become spoiled or fermented, akin to milk turning sour.

gone bad

A general term for spoilage, relating to the "sour" state of food.

FAQs

How can I use "sour" in a sentence?

You can use "sour" to describe taste (e.g., "The lemon had a sour taste"), emotions (e.g., "He had a sour look on his face"), or situations (e.g., "The deal turned sour").

What is the difference between "sour" and "bitter"?

"Sour" typically refers to an acidic taste, while "bitter" refers to a sharp, pungent taste. Though both are unpleasant, they are distinct sensory experiences.

What can I say instead of "sour"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "acidic", "tart", "bitter", "rancid" or "acrimonious depending on the specific meaning you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "sour grapes"?

Yes, "sour grapes" is a common idiom referring to the attitude of disparaging something because you cannot have it. It is often used to describe someone who is trying to downplay their disappointment.