touch of humor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch of humor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or subtle element of humor in a situation, text, or conversation. Example: "The presentation was informative, but it also had a touch of humor that kept the audience engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her last days were not without a touch of humor.

The New York Times

"I'll win, sure," he said, with a touch of humor.

The New York Times

With, dare I add, a touch of humor?

The New York Times - Food

I tried to capture this dignified grace with respect and a touch of humor".

The New Yorker

They can be sad, but often they have a touch of humor.

The New York Times

He added a touch of humor and humanity to an awesome task.

The New York Times - Magazine

This neoproverb has a touch of humor about it, but under the circumstances, it's not funny.

The New York Times - Magazine

And he is not above a touch of humor in his crusade.

The New York Times - Arts

Most visitors seem to take the unfamiliar accents in stride and with a touch of humor.

The New York Times

Charles was our statesman of all time, the embodiment of benevolence, knowledge - even wisdom - always with a touch of humor.

The New York Times

Yet he delivers the news with an undeniable delicacy and touch of humor that curdle into some kind of optimism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch of humor" to subtly introduce levity or wit into serious or formal contexts. It softens the tone without undermining the primary message.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "touch of humor". Overuse can make your writing sound formulaic. Vary your descriptions of humor using alternatives like "hint of humor" or "dash of humor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of humor" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as an object of a preposition (e.g., "with a touch of humor") or as a complement. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in describing the presence of a subtle humorous element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "touch of humor" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a subtle presence of humor, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in News & Media, the phrase lends itself well to various communicative purposes, from softening tones to enhancing engagement. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "hint of humor" or "dash of humor". Understanding its nuanced application ensures effective communication across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of humor

Substitutes "touch" with "hint", implying a more subtle presence of humor.

dash of humor

Replaces "touch" with "dash", suggesting a small amount of humor added.

tinge of humor

Replaces "touch" with "tinge", suggesting a slight coloring or influence of humor.

element of humor

Uses "element" instead of "touch", focusing on humor as a component.

undertone of humor

Emphasizes the humor as a subtle, underlying quality.

sense of humor

Shifts the focus to an overall feeling or perception of humor.

vein of humor

Suggests that humor runs like a continuous thread throughout something.

streak of humor

Highlights a tendency or recurring instance of humor.

strain of humor

Suggests a particular type or style of humor present.

flicker of humor

Emphasizes a brief, momentary appearance of humor.

FAQs

How can I use "touch of humor" in a sentence?

You can use "touch of humor" to describe something that has a slight or subtle element of being funny. For example, "The speech was informative, but it had a "touch of humor" that made it engaging."

What can I say instead of "touch of humor"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of humor", "dash of humor", or "element of humor" depending on the context.

Is "touch of humor" formal or informal?

"Touch of humor" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more common in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

What's the difference between "touch of humor" and "sense of humor"?

"Touch of humor" refers to a subtle instance or element of humor in a specific situation. "Sense of humor" refers to a person's ability to perceive or express humor in general.