touch of jealousy

USAGE SUMMARY

"touch of jealousy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a mild feeling of envy or resentment, often regarding a romantic relationship. For example: "The couple's playful banter revealed a touch of jealousy in their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

There was probably a touch of jealousy too.

The Economist

A touch of jealousy took him as he looked up at the stands here, even if what occurred on the pitch pleased him.

The Guardian - Sport

Wouldn't Westwood be only human if he felt a touch of jealousy towards Willett, 15 years his junior but with a Green Jacket already locked away?

The Guardian - Sport

It's a far cry from the glory days when the sight of the men in green inspired respect and perhaps a touch of jealousy in opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

While fully and freely congratulating M. Blériot, it is impossible not to feel a touch of jealousy that this historic achievement has not fallen to the lot of an Englishman".

The New York Times

Then add a major touch of jealousy and things get out of hand.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There's just a tinge of jealousy here, but I'll persevere.

TechCrunch

This includes the feeling of jealousy.

Huffington Post

Be objective: What triggered this feeling of jealousy?

WikiHow

She had a touch of Othello, an insecure soul poisoned by jealousy and paranoia.

The New York Times

Zelophobia- Fear of jealousy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch of jealousy" to subtly imply envy or resentment without making a harsh judgment. It's useful when describing complex emotions or relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "touch of jealousy" to describe intense or overwhelming feelings of envy. The phrase implies a mild, almost fleeting emotion, not a consuming passion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of jealousy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe a subtle feeling. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a mild feeling of envy or resentment. Examples include describing someone feeling a "touch of jealousy" towards another's success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "touch of jealousy" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a mild feeling of envy or resentment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and conveys a subtle observation about someone's emotional state. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "hint of envy" or "tinge of resentment", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, it’s important to avoid exaggerating the intensity of the emotion. Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of writing styles, maintaining a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of envy

Replaces "jealousy" with "envy" and "touch" with "hint", suggesting a subtle feeling of longing for what someone else has.

tinge of resentment

Substitutes "jealousy" with "resentment" to indicate a slight feeling of bitterness or indignation.

shade of envy

Similar to "hint of envy", but implies that the feeling is subtle and barely noticeable.

slight jealousy

Emphasizes the mildness of the jealousy felt.

a bit envious

Uses a more direct and simplified expression of envy.

a trace of jealousy

Highlights that the feeling of jealousy is minimal.

smidgen of envy

A less common and more playful way to describe a small amount of envy.

undertone of jealousy

Suggests that jealousy is present but not openly expressed or acknowledged.

whisper of envy

Emphasizes the quiet and almost imperceptible nature of the envious feeling.

faint jealousy

Implies the jealousy is weak and not very intense.

FAQs

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

You can use "touch of jealousy" to describe a mild feeling of envy or resentment. For example, "I detected a touch of jealousy in her voice when she spoke about his success."

What's the difference between "touch of envy" and "touch of jealousy"?

While both phrases express similar emotions, "touch of envy" generally refers to longing for someone else's possessions or qualities, whereas "touch of jealousy" often implies a sense of possessiveness or fear of losing something.

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

You can use alternatives like "hint of envy", "tinge of resentment", or "slight jealousy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "touch of jealousy" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "touch of jealousy" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a relatively neutral phrase that avoids overly strong or dramatic language.