touch of pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touch of pride" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction one feels from achieving something. For example: "The delighted smile on my face showed a touch of pride after I received my college degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were still reading him, he said with a touch of pride".

The New Yorker

Holmes notes, with a touch of pride, "I don't speak Spanish".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're a neighborhood restaurant, too," Mr. Albrecht said with a touch of pride.

The New York Times

He added with a touch of pride, "I'm sure my father would have wanted that".

The New York Times

"Started the day in Korneuburg," we mentioned with a touch of pride.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's become a Bridgehampton landmark," Riggio said with a touch of pride.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

From this distance, I cautiously feel I'm allowed to feel a touch of paternal pride in my young self.

The Guardian - Film

He appeared tired, but wore neither bandages nor bruises; his face was unmarked, his body unharmed, except, perhaps, for a touch of wounded pride.

The New York Times - Sports

A touch of personal pride for a home now hosting the fourth generation of the Hubers family: the Schooltink's 3-year-old daughter, Puk.

The New York Times

After all, as Sunmark notes on its Web site with a touch of cultural pride, living spaces in Japan are tight, so they tend to be tidy and orderly.

The New Yorker

Dr. Wim Leemans, a physicist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, shows a touch of parental pride for the hulking machine he affectionately calls T-Rex — a high-intensity laser that pushes electrons around.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "touch of pride" to subtly convey satisfaction without sounding boastful or arrogant. It's effective when describing someone's reaction to a positive outcome or personal accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "touch of pride" excessively in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "hint of satisfaction" or "note of accomplishment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touch of pride" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a preposition (e.g., "with a touch of pride"). It describes a subtle or mild feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment. Ludwig AI corroborates this, highlighting its usage in expressing a sense of achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "touch of pride" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a subtle sense of satisfaction or accomplishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and fitting in written English. Analysis of numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian shows that it is primarily used in news and media contexts. While synonyms such as "hint of self-satisfaction" or "note of gratification" can be used, "touch of pride" provides a nuanced way to express positive feelings without sounding boastful. When writing, remember to avoid overuse and consider varying your language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertone of pride

Implies a more subdued or underlying feeling of pride, not immediately apparent.

subtle sense of fulfillment

Emphasizes the feeling of completeness and satisfaction derived from achieving a goal.

hint of self-satisfaction

Focuses more on the internal feeling of satisfaction rather than the outward expression.

fleeting moment of pride

Indicates that the feeling of pride is brief or temporary.

faint glow of satisfaction

Uses a visual metaphor to describe a subtle and pleasant feeling of contentment.

note of gratification

Highlights the pleasant feeling derived from a particular situation or achievement.

whisper of achievement

Conveys a quiet and understated sense of having accomplished something significant.

shade of accomplishment

Emphasizes the completion of a task and the resulting sense of achievement.

slight self-congratulation

Directly implies an act of praising oneself, which can sometimes be seen as boastful.

tinge of smugness

Suggests a more negative connotation, implying excessive satisfaction or superiority.

FAQs

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

You can use "touch of pride" to describe someone's reaction to a positive outcome. For example, "He spoke about his daughter's achievements with a "touch of pride"."

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

You can use alternatives like "hint of self-satisfaction", "note of gratification", or "slight self-congratulation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sense of pride" instead of "touch of pride"?

Yes, "sense of pride" is also correct, but it conveys a stronger feeling than ""touch of pride"", which implies a more subtle emotion.

What's the difference between "touch of pride" and "feeling of pride"?

"Touch of pride" implies a small amount of pride, while "feeling of pride" suggests a more significant or intense emotion.