to put it mildly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to put it mildly" is correct and is often used in spoken and written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express something without seeming too direct or forceful. For example: "The job market is difficult right now, to put it mildly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was an off-putting performance, to put it mildly.

The New York Times

To put it mildly.

The New York Times - Style

He was, to put it mildly, peeved.

The New York Times

They were correct, to put it mildly.

The New York Times

It gets loud, to put it mildly.

The New Yorker

That seems, to put it mildly, improbable.

The Economist

To put it mildly, this created tensions.

The Economist

Starr, to put it mildly, overreached.

The New Yorker

It is, to put it mildly, topical.

The Guardian - Arts

This, to put it mildly, was surprising.

The Guardian

To put it mildly, Monsanto disagrees.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to put it mildly" to soften criticism or introduce a statement that could be perceived as harsh or blunt. It's effective when you want to acknowledge the gravity of a situation without overstating it.

Common error

Avoid using "to put it mildly" too frequently in casual conversation. Overuse can make your speech sound overly formal or insincere, especially when a simpler, more direct expression would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put it mildly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding statement to indicate that it is an understatement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage for softening assertions. This phrase adds nuance and avoids directness, often highlighting a contrast between the words used and the reality they describe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put it mildly" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an understatement, softening potentially harsh or critical statements. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical status and offers numerous examples illustrating its use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. While effective in formal and neutral settings, overuse in informal conversation should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "to say the least" or "to put it gently" to maintain nuance and avoid sounding insincere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to say the least

Focuses on the inadequacy of a stronger statement rather than softening the current one.

to understate the matter

More formal and emphasizes the act of deliberately minimizing the description.

it's an understatement to say

Highlights the degree to which the true situation exceeds the stated description.

to put it gently

Emphasizes the speaker's attempt to be considerate or avoid causing offense.

to put it delicately

Similar to "to put it gently", but suggests a greater risk of causing offense or discomfort.

if you want to put it nicely

Acknowledges a less polite or more critical way of expressing the same idea.

to put it kindly

Acknowledges an underlying harsher truth, similar to "if you want to put it nicely".

to put it cautiously

Highlights the speaker's careful approach due to potential sensitivity or risk.

that's one way to put it

Implies disagreement or suggests that there are other, possibly less flattering, ways to describe the situation.

it wasn't exactly ideal

Understates a negative situation by focusing on the absence of positive qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "to put it mildly" in a sentence?

Use "to put it mildly" to downplay a situation or emotion. For instance, "The project was challenging, "to put it mildly"," suggests the project was more difficult than the words imply.

What are some alternatives to "to put it mildly"?

You can use alternatives like "to say the least", "it's an understatement to say", or "to put it gently" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "to put it mildly" in formal writing?

Yes, "to put it mildly" can be appropriate in formal writing when you want to express something indirectly or soften a statement. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and doesn't undermine the seriousness of the subject matter.

What's the difference between "to put it mildly" and "to say the least"?

"To put it mildly" softens a statement, while "to say the least" suggests something is even more extreme than stated. Both imply understatement, but "to say the least" often carries a stronger sense of emphasis.