that was awkward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was awkward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that felt uncomfortable or embarrassing, often after an interaction or event. Example: "After the silence that followed my joke, I realized that was awkward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Amid silence that was awkward and telling, not a polite "nice shot" was heard.

The New York Times - Sports

When the 19-year-old was felled again moments later Rooney sent in a dipping free-kick that was awkward though the City defence did enough to repel it.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the boys saw us and called, "Hey, where's your mom?" THAT was awkward, because our son had introduced himself to his classmates at the beginning of the school year with pictures of our family and of his birth family.

The New York Times

He apologizes for complaining ("that was awkward") and begins again.

Los Angeles Times

"Conan lingered for a long time, that was awkward".

Huffington Post

It was the actual surgery that was awkward.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"The one thing that's awkward is that they had cloth napkins," Mr. Davis said.

The New York Times

The chicks may reject fish that are awkward to swallow or that have sharp spines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Baker specializes in moments of intimacy that are awkward, hilarious and ineffably touching.

The New York Times

"Purpose" shows how timeworn conventions can fail musicians, causing them to release work that is awkward, bloated, and inert.

The New Yorker

The site contains little more than enormous raw spreadsheets that are awkward to search.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was awkward" to acknowledge and lightly diffuse tension in social situations. This can help others feel more at ease by showing you're aware of the discomfort.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "that was awkward", especially if it becomes a crutch in conversations. Instead, vary your responses with more specific descriptions of the situation's nuances, such as "that was a bit unexpected" or "I didn't quite mean for that to come out that way".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was awkward" functions primarily as an adjectival comment on a past situation. It serves to describe the feeling or nature of the situation, indicating it was uncomfortable or embarrassing. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

11%

Social Media

1%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was awkward" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe uncomfortable or embarrassing situations. As Ludwig AI states, it's a usable expression in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, its purpose is to acknowledge and often diffuse tension. When writing, use it mindfully to avoid overuse, and consider alternatives like "that was uncomfortable" or "that was embarrassing" to add nuance. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various conversational settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was uncomfortable

Emphasizes the feeling of unease or discomfort.

that was embarrassing

Highlights the shame or humiliation associated with the situation.

that was cringeworthy

Emphasizes the feeling of embarrassment or disgust caused by the situation.

that was clumsy

Focuses on the lack of grace or smoothness in the interaction.

that was a bit much

Indicates that something exceeded the boundaries of what is acceptable or appropriate.

that was ill-timed

Points out the poor timing of an action or statement.

that was inappropriate

Highlights the unsuitability or unseemliness of the situation.

that was a misstep

Suggests a mistake or error in judgment.

that was unfortunate

Expresses regret or disappointment about the situation.

that was a faux pas

Indicates a social blunder or breach of etiquette.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that was awkward"?

You can use alternatives like "that was uncomfortable", "that was embarrassing", or "that was cringeworthy" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that was awkward"?

Yes, "that was awkward" is grammatically correct. "That" functions as a pronoun referring to a specific event or situation, "was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", and "awkward" is an adjective describing the nature of the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was awkward"?

It's appropriate to use "that was awkward" after a social interaction, comment, or situation that caused discomfort, embarrassment, or tension. It's often used to acknowledge the awkwardness and lighten the mood.

Are there situations where it's better to avoid saying "that was awkward"?

Yes, avoid saying "that was awkward" if it might further embarrass someone involved or draw unnecessary attention to the situation, especially if others haven't noticed or are trying to move past it. Sometimes silence or a change of subject is more appropriate.