Guide 114 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Sort of”
A hedge that weakens every sentence it touches.
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Sort of" and "kind of" are speech-filler. In writing they turn statements into guesses. Delete them, or name the qualification precisely.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
The launch was sort of a success.
After
The launch met half its goals.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01Partially neutral
when the claim is partial
A partially successful launch.
- 02Somewhat neutral
when precision is coarse
A somewhat successful launch.
- 03In part formal
formal qualification
Successful in part.
- 04[delete it] neutral
when possible
The launch was a success.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
If you're hedging, hedge concretely. "Partially" with a number beats "sort of" without one.