a bit of a slower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of a slower" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is somewhat slower, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The process is a bit slower than I expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Yes, for a marketing tagline the idea that it's something that you haven't seen before is a great way to sell something, but having something that arrests and totally disrupts what people are expecting to see inside of a movie theater is part of what will help jump-start what has been a bit of a slower box office lately, which is good not only for us but for the entire marketplace," Hollis said.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I guess I am a bit of a slow learner".

The New York Times

I admit I am a bit of a slow eater, but not that slow.

The New York Times

The novel that follows Piers Torday's acclaimed Last Wild trilogy gets off to a bit of a slow start.

The Guardian - Books

It's a bit of a slow burner, but hopefully it serves as a brief respite before the storm of action in the last few episodes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To be fair, other than a fun-but-slight-looking programme from my favourite British composer-conductor George Benjamin, it was a bit of a slow week anyway.

The Guardian - Music

We expected the app might be a bit of a slow burn and we didn't have any budget left after the build to heavily promote it.

The Guardian

5.39pm BST 39 mins: Harrison Afful goes into the book for bringing Ronaldo down from behind, although it was a bit of a slow-motion foul, without any violence.

The Guardian - Sport

Levelling up can be a bit of a slow grind, but Pidgey stacking can boost your trainer by at least one level.

The Guardian - Tech

Salman Amin, who runs PepsiCo in Britain, admits that the company's latest product might be "a bit of a slow burn".

The Guardian - Business

With that being said, the Buckeyes are off to a bit of a slow start here against Iowa State, but I don't really pay any mind to what happens in games before 1 p.m. Eastern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "a bit of a slower", opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "slightly slower" or "a little slower" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid combining "a bit of a" with comparative adjectives like "slower". This construction often leads to awkward phrasing. Choose more direct alternatives such as "somewhat slower" or "a little slower" for better grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of a slower" functions as an adjectival modifier, aiming to describe something with a reduced pace or speed. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct, suggesting the use of alternatives for clearer communication.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a bit of a slower" aims to express a slight decrease in speed or progress, it's grammatically incorrect and rarely used. Ludwig AI indicates that using alternative phrases such as "slightly slower" or "a little slower" is preferable for clarity and correctness. Most examples appear in news and media contexts, but given the grammatical issues, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Opt for more standard and precise language to ensure your message is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly slower

Directly replaces "a bit of a slower" with a simpler, more grammatically sound phrase.

Somewhat slower

Uses "somewhat" as an alternative to "a bit of", indicating a mild degree of slowness.

A little slower

Replaces "bit of a" with "little", providing a more concise alternative.

Marginally slower

Substitutes "a bit of a" with "marginally", emphasizing a slight degree of slowness.

Barely slower

Highlights the minimal difference in speed using the word "barely".

A touch slower

Employs "a touch" to indicate a very slight decrease in speed.

Moderately slower

Suggests a more noticeable, but not drastic, reduction in speed.

Noticeably slower

Implies that the decrease in speed is easily observed.

Gradually slowing

Focuses on the process of becoming slower over time.

Imperceptibly slower

Indicates that the slowness is so subtle that it's difficult to perceive.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound way to express "a bit of a slower"?

Instead of "a bit of a slower", you can use phrases like "slightly slower", "a little slower", or "somewhat slower" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical correctness.

In what contexts might I want to say something is "a bit of a slower"?

While "a bit of a slower" isn't grammatically ideal, you might intend to use it in contexts where you want to express that something is marginally less fast or efficient than before. However, it's better to opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "a bit of a slower"?

No, the phrase "a bit of a slower" is not considered correct in standard English. It's better to use alternative phrases that clearly and correctly express your intended meaning, such as "a little slower".

What's the difference between "a bit of a slower" and "slightly slower"?

"A bit of a slower" is grammatically awkward and less clear. "Slightly slower" is a more direct and grammatically correct way to indicate a small degree of reduced speed or progress.