Modifying Another Word

• socially: That's a long time to be watching two socially awkward individuals sitting with their faces cupped in their hands.

• slightly: Also, she's standing in a slightly awkward position, putting her weight on her knees.

• rather: A rather awkward movement is made to get out of the chimney on to the pinnacle.

• somewhat: Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up... .

• potentially: Blocking and lighting design combined to create haunting tableaux that made a virtue of the Playroom's potentially awkward rhomboid space.

• deliberately: It is not possible for a baby to be deliberately awkward.

Infinitive complement

• handle: These engines were entirely unsuited to the work, they slipped a lot, had open cabs and were awkward to handle for shunting.

• carry: Yes * No * Is it awkward to carry when full?

• fit: It can be awkward to fit two steps comfortably between the gaps in the rails.

Modifies a noun

• squad: Being unaware of the weaknesses of the awkward squad is hardly an argument to throw at the SWP.

• pause: There was an awkward pause, a dreary pause, a horrible pause.

• silence: Things hung for a moment in an awkward silence.

• posture: Manual Handling includes lifting, twisting, bending and awkward body postures.

• gait: Parents or teachers may notice an abnormal turning in of the foot, an awkward gait or contractions of many different muscle groups.

• squeeze: To be perfectly honest, I didn't actually think we would get beyond the awkward calcite squeeze near the entrance.

Used with adjective complement

• feel: Some friends may feel awkward about talking to you.

• prove: The Sonicare has a plastic " guard " on it which can prove awkward at the back of the mouth.

• seem: In fact, this bullying man seems really rather awkward in his dealings with women.

• appear: The very anxious person can appear awkward, and even rude, in social situations.

• look: No, " he replied, looking suddenly more awkward than his usual uncomfortable country self.