Use somewhat before adjectives, adverbs, comparatives, or after verbs when a statement needs a careful middle degree.
Use somewhat before adjectives, adverbs, comparatives, or after verbs when a statement needs a careful middle degree.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The room was somewhat freezing. | The room was very cold. |
| She somewhat is nervous before interviews. | She is somewhat nervous before interviews. |
| The answer was somewhat not clear. | The answer was somewhat unclear. |
Use somewhat in this sense sparingly, most often in the pattern somewhat of, because modern prose usually prefers something, some, or part.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I bought three somewhats at the market. | I bought three things at the market. |
| There is somewhat on the table. | There is something on the table. |
| Somewhat of the report are missing. | Somewhat of the report is missing. |
Use the adverb sense for normal modern writing, especially before adjectives and comparatives, and reserve the pronoun sense for formal contexts where somewhat of means part of something.
Somewhat very overstates the degree, and somewhat not clear should normally be somewhat unclear.
Formed in Middle English from some and what, first recorded around the late twelfth or early thirteenth century for a certain amount or degree.
What does somewhat mean?
Somewhat usually means to a limited or moderate degree, so a statement is partly true but not very strong.
Is somewhat formal?
Somewhat is neutral to rather formal. It often sounds more careful than a bit or kind of.
Where does somewhat go in a sentence?
Somewhat often comes before an adjective, adverb, or comparative, as in somewhat tired or somewhat more expensive.
Can somewhat come after a verb?
Yes. A sentence like the situation changed somewhat means it changed to a limited degree.
What does somewhat of mean?
Somewhat of can mean to some degree, as in somewhat of a mystery, or more formally part of something.
Is somewhat the same as very?
No. Somewhat weakens or limits a statement, while very makes it stronger.
Can somewhat be a pronoun?
Yes, but the pronoun sense meaning something or some part is formal and much less common today.
How is somewhat pronounced?
Somewhat is commonly pronounced /ˈsʌmˌwɑt/.