Somewhat vs Something: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about when to use “somewhat” and “something”? These two words may seem interchangeable, but they actually have distinct meanings and uses. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “somewhat” and “something” and provide examples to help you use them correctly.

Let’s define the two words. “Somewhat” is an adverb that means to some extent or degree. It is often used to modify adjectives or other adverbs to indicate a moderate amount or level. For example, “The movie was somewhat entertaining” suggests that the movie was moderately enjoyable, but not necessarily great.

“Something,” on the other hand, is a pronoun that refers to a thing or object that is not specified. It can also be used as an adverb to indicate that something exists or happens to some degree. For example, “There’s something strange about that house” suggests that there is an unspecified quality or characteristic that is unusual.

So, which of these two words is the “proper” one to use? The answer is that it depends on the context and what you are trying to convey. If you want to indicate a moderate degree or extent of something, “somewhat” is the appropriate choice. If you want to refer to an unspecified thing or object, “something” is the correct word to use.

Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll explore the different ways in which “somewhat” and “something” can be used, as well as common mistakes to avoid when using these words.

Define Somewhat

Somewhat is an adverb used to indicate a moderate degree or extent of something. It is often used to express a level of uncertainty or vagueness in a statement. For example, “I am somewhat tired” suggests a level of fatigue, but not to the point of exhaustion.

Somewhat can also be used to imply a sense of reservation or hesitation. For instance, “I am somewhat hesitant to agree” suggests that the speaker has some reservations about the proposal but is not completely opposed to it.

Define Something

Something is a pronoun used to refer to a thing that is not specifically identified or named. It is a broad and general term that can refer to any object, idea, or concept. For example, “I need something to eat” refers to any type of food, not a specific dish.

Something can also be used to indicate an unknown or unspecified quantity or amount. For instance, “I have something to show you” suggests that the speaker has a specific item to share, but the recipient does not know what it is or how many items there are.

Overall, while somewhat and something are both used to express a level of vagueness or uncertainty, they serve different grammatical functions and have distinct meanings in English language.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make all the difference in the world. It can change the meaning of a sentence and convey a completely different message. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “somewhat” and “something.”

How To Use “Somewhat” In A Sentence

The word “somewhat” is an adverb that means to a certain extent or degree. It is used to modify adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs. Here are some examples:

• The weather is somewhat chilly today.
• The movie was somewhat entertaining, but it could have been better.
• She was somewhat surprised by the news.

It is important to note that “somewhat” should not be used in place of “some” or “a little.” For example, instead of saying “I have somewhat money,” you should say “I have some money.”

How To Use “Something” In A Sentence

The word “something” is a pronoun that refers to a thing or an idea that is not specified. It is used to replace a noun in a sentence. Here are some examples:

• I need something to eat.
• She said something that made me laugh.
• He is hiding something from me.

It is important to note that “something” should not be used in place of “somewhat.” For example, instead of saying “I am something tired,” you should say “I am somewhat tired.”

More Examples Of Somewhat & Something Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide you with more examples of how to use “somewhat” and “something” in sentences. These examples will help you understand the context in which these words are used and how they can be used to convey different meanings.

Examples Of Using Somewhat In A Sentence

• The weather is somewhat pleasant today.
• She was somewhat disappointed with the results.
• The movie was somewhat entertaining.
• The food was somewhat spicy.
• He is somewhat of a perfectionist.
• The situation is somewhat complicated.
• The dress is somewhat expensive.
• The room is somewhat messy.
• The book is somewhat difficult to understand.
• The music is somewhat loud.

Examples Of Using Something In A Sentence

• There is something strange about that house.
• She knows something about art history.
• He is hiding something from us.
• There is something wrong with the car.
• She has something important to tell you.
• The cake has something special in it.
• He said something that made me laugh.
• There is something in the air tonight.
• She felt something crawling on her leg.
• He has something up his sleeve.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the English language, there are many words that can be easily confused and misused. One common mistake that people often make is using the words “somewhat” and “something” interchangeably. While these words may seem similar in meaning, they are actually quite different and should not be used in the same way.

Mistakes To Avoid

• Using “somewhat” to mean “something”
• Using “something” to mean “somewhat”
• Using “somewhat” as a replacement for “a little” or “partially”

These mistakes can lead to confusion and miscommunication, especially in written communication where the reader may not have the opportunity to clarify the intended meaning. For example, using “somewhat” instead of “something” in a sentence like “I need something to eat” would change the meaning of the sentence to “I need a little to eat” or “I need partially to eat,” which is not what the speaker intended.

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to understand the meanings of both “somewhat” and “something” and use them appropriately. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use “something” when referring to a specific thing or object.
2. Use “somewhat” when referring to a degree or extent of something.
3. Avoid using “somewhat” as a replacement for “a little” or “partially.” Instead, use these words directly to avoid confusion.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use the English language more effectively and accurately.

Context Matters

When deciding whether to use “somewhat” or “something,” the context in which they are used is crucial. Both words have similar meanings, but they are used in different situations. Understanding the context can help you choose the right word and convey your message more effectively.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “somewhat” and “something” might change:

Context	Example	Correct Word Choice
Formal Writing	“The company’s profits have increased something over the last quarter.”	Somewhat
Informal Conversation	“Did you like the movie?” “Yeah, it was something.”	Somewhat
Comparative Statements	“The second book in the series was something better than the first.”	Somewhat
Absolute Statements	“The cake was something delicious.”	Somewhat (or use a different word altogether)

In formal writing, it is important to use precise language. In the first example above, “somewhat” is the correct choice because it conveys a specific, measurable increase in profits. In informal conversation, using “something” is more appropriate because it is a casual, conversational word. When making comparative statements, “somewhat” is often the better choice because it implies a small but noticeable difference. However, when making absolute statements, using “something” can be vague and imprecise. It is better to use a different word altogether to convey a more specific meaning.

Overall, understanding the context in which you are using “somewhat” or “something” can help you choose the right word and convey your message more effectively. By considering the tone, audience, and purpose of your writing or speech, you can make an informed decision about which word to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “somewhat” and “something” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply.

1. Adjectives With Irregular Comparative Forms

When using adjectives with irregular comparative forms, the use of “somewhat” may not be appropriate. For example, the comparative form of “good” is “better,” not “more good.” Therefore, it would be incorrect to say “somewhat better.” Instead, “slightly better” or “marginally better” would be more appropriate.

2. Colloquial Expressions

Colloquial expressions often have their own rules and conventions, which may not follow standard grammar rules. For example, the phrase “something fierce” is a colloquial expression used to describe something that is intense or extreme. In this case, the use of “somewhat” would not be appropriate. Instead, “really” or “extremely” would be more fitting.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning than the words that make them up. In these cases, the use of “somewhat” or “something” may not be appropriate. For example, the phrase “to make something of oneself” means to become successful or achieve something. In this case, it would be incorrect to say “to make somewhat of oneself.” Instead, the phrase should be used as is.

4. Emphasis

Sometimes, the use of “something” or “somewhat” can be used for emphasis, even if it may not strictly follow the rules of standard grammar. For example, saying “I’m something of an expert in this field” adds emphasis to the fact that the speaker is an expert. Similarly, saying “I’m somewhat disappointed” adds emphasis to the fact that the speaker is disappointed.

Overall, while there are a few exceptions to the rules for using “somewhat” and “something,” these cases are relatively rare. In most cases, following the standard rules of grammar will ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the differences between somewhat and something, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises that will help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (somewhat or something) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. She was __________ disappointed with the results of the experiment.
2. The movie was __________ of a disappointment than I had expected.
3. He was __________ nervous before the big presentation.
4. I have __________ of a sweet tooth than a salty one.
5. The weather was __________ milder than the forecast predicted.

Answer Key:

1. somewhat
2. something
3. somewhat
4. more of a
5. somewhat

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence below with the correct form of somewhat or something:

1. The new restaurant in town is __________ expensive, but the food is worth it.
2. I’m __________ of a morning person, so I like to sleep in on weekends.
3. She’s __________ of an introvert, so she doesn’t like big parties.
4. He’s __________ of a daredevil, so he loves extreme sports.
5. The dress was __________ too small for me to wear to the wedding.

Answer Key:

1. somewhat
2. more of a
3. somewhat
4. something
5. somewhat

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to use somewhat and something correctly in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence and choose the word that best fits the meaning you want to convey.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we have explored the difference between “somewhat” and “something” and how they are used in the English language. Here are the key takeaways:

Somewhat

• “Somewhat” is an adverb that means “to some extent” or “in some degree.”
• It is often used to modify adjectives or adverbs to indicate a moderate amount or level.
• For example, “somewhat tired” means “moderately tired.”

Something

• “Something” is a pronoun that refers to a thing, an object, or an idea.
• It is used to indicate the presence of an unspecified or unknown thing.
• For example, “something is wrong” means “there is a problem, but I don’t know what it is.”

It is important to use these words correctly in order to convey your intended meaning clearly. While they may seem similar, they have distinct uses and connotations. By paying attention to the context and the part of speech of the word, you can ensure that you are using “somewhat” and “something” appropriately.

Remember, grammar and language use are important skills to master in order to communicate effectively. Keep learning and practicing to improve your writing and speaking abilities.