that was embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that was embarrassing' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a particular event or situation was awkward or shameful, such as in the following example sentence: At the party, I accidentally knocked over the punch bowl--that was embarrassing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Jeez, that was embarrassing".

The New York Times - Sports

"Yeah, that was embarrassing.

The New York Times - Sports

"They never asked me to do anything that was embarrassing...

The New Yorker

There's obviously not been a moment that was embarrassing enough to lodge permanently in my memory.

The Guardian - Film

After the Glorious Revolution (1688), convocation began to exhibit an independence of thought that was embarrassing to the government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The deal ended a stalemate that was embarrassing the Kremlin, which has been stung by another election in which its choice for president has stalled, in Ukraine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Big play in a crucial situation for a Buffalo defense that was embarrassed last week in San Francisco.

Huffington Post

"I'm sorry, I'm taking you through something that's embarrassing to you," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the new provisions are designed to close loopholes that are embarrassing in other ways.

The New York Times

She insisted on family likenesses to a degree that is embarrassing in hindsight.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then Weidmann appears with his movie, a piece of cinéma verité that is embarrassing for everybody.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was embarrassing" to express a personal feeling of awkwardness or shame related to a specific event. It's most effective when the context is clear and the emotion is genuine.

Common error

Avoid using "that was embarrassing" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "that was awkward" or "that was humiliating" for a more engaging and nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

"That was embarrassing" functions as an expressive phrase, primarily used to communicate a speaker's reaction to an event or situation they perceive as awkward, shameful, or causing discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a feeling of awkwardness, shame, or discomfort. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely applicable. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, like news reporting or casual conversation. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "that was awkward" or "that was humiliating" for variety. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its directness and clarity when expressing a genuine emotional response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was awkward

Replaces "embarrassing" with "awkward", focusing on the uncomfortable nature of the situation.

that was humiliating

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "humiliating", intensifying the feeling of shame.

that was mortifying

Replaces "embarrassing" with "mortifying", suggesting a deeper sense of shame and distress.

that was cringeworthy

Uses "cringeworthy" to describe the situation, emphasizing the discomfort it causes.

that was unfortunate

Replaces "embarrassing" with "unfortunate", softening the tone and focusing on the bad luck aspect.

that was regrettable

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "regrettable", highlighting the speaker's remorse.

I'm ashamed of that

Changes the structure to a first-person statement of shame.

I feel embarrassed about that

Expresses the feeling of embarrassment directly.

that makes me cringe

Focuses on the physical reaction to the situation.

that was a blunder

Replaces "embarrassing" with the noun "blunder", focusing on the mistake made.

FAQs

What does "that was embarrassing" mean?

The phrase "that was embarrassing" expresses a feeling of awkwardness, shame, or discomfort about something that has happened. It's often used to describe situations where someone made a mistake, experienced a social faux pas, or witnessed something uncomfortable.

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

You can use alternatives like "that was awkward", "that was humiliating", or "that was unfortunate" depending on the context and the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

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

Yes, "that was embarrassing" is grammatically correct. "That" is a demonstrative pronoun, "was" is a past tense form of the verb "to be", and "embarrassing" is an adjective describing the situation. It follows standard English sentence structure.

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

It's appropriate to use "that was embarrassing" when you want to express your personal feeling of awkwardness or shame related to a specific event. Make sure the context is clear and your tone matches the feeling you're trying to convey. Overusing it can dilute its impact, so use it judiciously.