Slightly superior

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly superior" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is marginally better or of higher quality compared to something else. Example: "In terms of performance, the new model is slightly superior to its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt proud, and slightly superior.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Smug, slightly superior, naughty rebel Gruaniad journalist?

The Guardian - Sport

To see a slightly superior projection of what exists?

The Guardian - Film

Thus, Ahmadnagar managed to retain a slightly superior position.

Britannica

Edinburgh watches it all with interest – a slightly superior smile on its face.

The Guardian - Sport

It makes the viewer feel slightly superior, because the actors have accents and are quite posh.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When I came back I felt slightly superior to student politics, for instance.

The Guardian - Books

Occasionally, alarm bells ring when Dare starts to sound like an only slightly superior Tom Odell.

The Guardian - Music

SRK EOS was slightly superior for correlating the saturated liquid densities.

The Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics

Numerical values of time dependent deposit formation found slightly superior to the experimental values.

Applied Thermal Engineering

A 2003 review of controlled research found that medication is slightly superior to psychotherapy in the treatment of dysthymia.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly superior" to indicate a small but noticeable advantage or improvement. This phrase is particularly useful in comparative analyses where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly superior" when the difference is substantial. If the improvement is significant, opt for stronger terms like "considerably superior" or "significantly better".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly superior" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to modify nouns by indicating a marginal degree of advantage or improvement. Ludwig shows examples in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in making nuanced comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly superior" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate a marginal advantage or improvement. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in science, news, and academic contexts, reflecting its utility in precise comparative analyses. While it is versatile, it's important not to overstate the degree of superiority and to consider stronger terms when the difference is significant. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability and provides numerous examples to guide its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marginally better

Emphasizes the small degree of improvement or advantage.

Somewhat better

Indicates a degree of improvement that is not substantial.

A bit better

Suggests a small and noticeable improvement.

Slightly more advanced

Focuses on the advancement or progress being marginal.

Minimally superior

Highlights the minimal nature of the superiority.

A shade better

Emphasizes a subtle and almost imperceptible difference in quality.

Barely better

Implies the improvement is only just noticeable.

A notch above

Indicates a slight increase in rank or quality.

Modestly superior

Suggests the superiority is present but not overstated.

Inching ahead

Implies a slow and gradual movement to a better position.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly superior" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly superior" to indicate that something is marginally better than something else. For example, "In terms of performance, the new model is "slightly superior" to its predecessor."

What are some alternatives to "slightly superior"?

Alternatives include "marginally better", "somewhat better", or "a bit better" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly superior" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly superior" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic or scientific contexts, as it conveys a precise and measured comparison.

How does "slightly superior" differ from "significantly superior"?

"Slightly superior" indicates a small difference in quality or performance, while "significantly superior" implies a much larger and more noticeable difference.