very tempting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very tempting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is highly attractive or appealing, often in a way that suggests a strong desire to engage with it. Example: "The dessert menu looked very tempting, and I couldn't resist ordering a slice of chocolate cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's very tempting.

The Guardian

Nor is Pakistan very tempting.

The New York Times - Travel

It makes Dubai very tempting.

The New York Times

And they are very tempting.

The Guardian - Music

True, taking pictures is very tempting.

The Guardian - Arts

But the new colors are very tempting.

The New York Times

But if you're a single-laptop user, it's very tempting.

TechCrunch

They are very tempting to sit at but the reality is not quite so pleasant.

Forbes

As an employer, checking out an applicant's Facebook page much like Googling a candidate's name is very tempting.

Business Horizons

And, I'll be honest here, it was very tempting.

Vice

Very tempting, in fact, but not entirely fair.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very tempting" to describe options or choices that are highly appealing but might have hidden drawbacks. This subtly acknowledges the allure while hinting at potential caution.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, avoid overusing "very tempting". Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "highly alluring" or "exceptionally inviting" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very tempting" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of attractiveness or allure. Ludwig examples show it describing various subjects from desserts to job offers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very tempting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase used to express a high degree of attraction or allure, as confirmed by Ludwig. While versatile, it finds its primary contexts within News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To enhance formality, consider using alternatives like "highly alluring" or "extremely enticing". Keep in mind that it is crucial to use alternatives depending on the contexts, as specified in the Writing Guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly alluring

Replaces "tempting" with "alluring" and "very" with "highly", emphasizing attractiveness.

extremely enticing

Substitutes "tempting" with "enticing" and "very" with "extremely", highlighting the quality of being attractively inviting.

remarkably attractive

Changes "tempting" to "attractive" and "very" to "remarkably", focusing on the appeal.

incredibly appealing

Replaces "tempting" with "appealing" and "very" with "incredibly", stressing the positive and attractive nature.

utterly irresistible

Modifies the phrase to suggest something cannot be resisted, intensifying the allure.

exceptionally inviting

Replaces "tempting" with "inviting" and "very" with "exceptionally", focusing on the welcoming nature of something.

decidedly seductive

Changes the emphasis to the seductive quality, suggesting a captivating allure.

seriously attractive

Emphasizes the attractiveness with "seriously", implying a strong level of appeal.

awfully appealing

Uses "awfully" to intensify "appealing", conveying a strong sense of attraction.

terribly inviting

Employs "terribly" as an intensifier for "inviting", highlighting the strong allure.

FAQs

How can I use "very tempting" in a sentence?

You can use "very tempting" to describe something attractive or appealing, such as "The dessert menu was "very tempting", so I ordered cake" or "The job offer was "very tempting", but I decided to stay at my current company".

What are some alternatives to "very tempting"?

Some alternatives include "highly alluring", "extremely enticing", or "incredibly appealing", depending on the context.

Is "very tempting" too informal for academic writing?

While "very tempting" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "exceptionally inviting" or "remarkably attractive" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "very tempting" and "irresistible"?

"Very tempting" suggests a strong attraction, while "utterly irresistible" implies something is impossible to resist. The latter is a stronger and more decisive statement.