this is very embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

"this is very embarrassing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which you or someone else feels very embarrassed. For example: After tripping down the stairs in front of everyone, I muttered, "This is very embarrassing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Alfred J. Peck Jr., the director of social services for the Salvation Army in New York, said: "This is very embarrassing.

The New York Times

This is very embarrassing.

Forbes

"This is very embarrassing for the government," said a retired Pakistani general.

The New York Times

A court victory like this is very embarrassing in Japan for the culprits.

Huffington Post

At this point it's important to put their mind at ease and let them know that you need to talk about a health issue that you've dealt with since childhood and not something alarming like you have a wife in another state or that you're wanted by the FBI ! Be honest about how you feel.Let them know that this is very embarrassing to talk about and you're having difficulty getting it out in the open.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Like, you are full on bawling, it is very embarrassing.

Vice

It is very embarrassing.

EU Parlament

It is stupid as it sounds, people have fallen and it is very embarrassing.

WikiHow

"This will be very embarrassing.

The New Yorker

This could be very embarrassing.

Huffington Post

This can be very embarrassing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance impact consider replacing "very" with more specific adjectives such as "utterly", "deeply", or "incredibly".

Common error

While the phrase is correct, relying on it too often can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to use a range of expressions to convey embarrassment, shame, or discomfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is very embarrassing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of discomfort, shame, or awkwardness. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it used to comment on situations causing personal or collective embarrassment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is very embarrassing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing feelings of awkwardness, shame, or humiliation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as wiki and scientific contexts. While versatile, consider using more specific language for enhanced impact in formal writing. Be mindful of overuse to maintain writing variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's extremely embarrassing

Alters the sentence structure while retaining a comparable degree of embarrassment.

this is quite embarrassing

Uses "quite" instead of "very" to soften the intensity of the embarrassment.

this is so humiliating

Uses "so" instead of "very" to intensify the feeling of humiliation.

this is just mortifying

Removes "very" for a slightly less formal and more direct expression of mortification.

this is highly humiliating

Replaces "embarrassing" with a stronger term, "humiliating", to emphasize the severity of the feeling.

this is deeply mortifying

Substitutes "embarrassing" with "mortifying," suggesting a feeling of intense shame and social discomfort.

this is extremely awkward

Shifts the focus to the discomfort of the situation rather than direct embarrassment.

it's incredibly humiliating

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining a similar sentiment of profound humiliation.

this is utterly shameful

Emphasizes the feeling of shame associated with the situation, making it more intense.

this is incredibly cringeworthy

Highlights the awkward and uncomfortable nature of the situation, eliciting a feeling of cringe.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this is very embarrassing"?

You can use alternatives like "this is so humiliating", "this is extremely awkward", or "this is quite embarrassing" depending on the context.

Is "this is very embarrassing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this is very embarrassing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English, as confirmed by Ludwig.

When is it appropriate to use "this is very embarrassing"?

"This is very embarrassing" is suitable for situations where you want to express a feeling of awkwardness, shame, or humiliation. However, be mindful of the formality of the context.

What's the difference between "this is very embarrassing" and "this is really embarrassing"?

The difference is subtle. Both convey a feeling of embarrassment, but "really" might be perceived as slightly more informal than "very".