I wonder whether "(e.g. This phrase or sentence) sounds stilted" means "sounds awkward". Does "stilted" mean something else, like too pompous, stiff, formal?
What are some of the words that describe something that doesn't sound natural?
I mean something like "clunky". Can you say "It sounds tongue-tied"?
Thank you.
*** NOT A TEACHER ***
As far as I'm concerned, it means 'artificially formal'.
Might I be so bold as to anticipate an affirmative response from a native English speaker to the question of mine whether I am right with my answer to this outstanding question?![]()
(I think it was rather stilted.
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To me, it lacks the natural flow of language- it's clumsy, artificial in some way- it doesn't have to be pompous IMO.