a shade further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shade further" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small additional distance or extent, often in a figurative sense. Example: "If we could go a shade further in our discussion, we might uncover some valuable insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is a delicious moment when Trollope goes half a shade further than Austen, and gives Fanny a well-deserved ticking off.

The Guardian - Books

The centre-left government of Costas Simitis still needs to wrestle down Greece's inflation rate a shade further, but has cut the budget deficit from 1.9% of GDP last year to a projected 1.6% this year and is hacking away at the high level of outstanding public debt.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The pebbles come in a variety of dark and light shades, further indicating that they have been eroded from different rock types and transported from different locations.

BBC

A shade of gray or brown may make a good base for further painting depending on the final coat you plan on using.

WikiHow

Once the filling reaches the boil, cook for a further 3 minutes or so, until it's begun to thickens and has darkens a shade.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Further, its pores are irregular in shape, measuring 0.5 1 mm in diameter at maturity, and stain a shade of hazel rather than reddish to brownish.

Wikipedia

Your eyelash is a shade.

The New Yorker

She's a shade menopausal.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a shade flabby.

The Guardian - Travel

It was about $450 a shade.

The New York Times

She smiled, as if a shade embarrassed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shade further" when you want to express a slight increment or a subtle degree of change without being overly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "a shade further" when a significant or substantial difference exists. It is intended for small, almost imperceptible changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shade further" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something is extended or advanced. It quantifies a subtle increase or progression, implying a small, almost imperceptible difference. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shade further" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating a slight degree of advancement or change. As shown by Ludwig, while considered correct, its occurrence is relatively infrequent and is used to express subtle adjustments rather than substantial differences. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its application across diverse domains. For formal contexts, opting for alternatives like "slightly more" or "somewhat further" might be more appropriate. The key takeaway is to use "a shade further" when precision isn't paramount and a subtle increment is all that's needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a shade more

Mirrors the original phrase but emphasizes the minimal quantity.

slightly more

Indicates a small increase or degree beyond a certain point.

a bit more

Implies a small quantity or degree greater than before.

somewhat further

Suggests a certain extent of advancement, but not a large one.

just a little further

Emphasizes the small amount of additional progress needed.

marginally further

Indicates a minimal degree of progression.

a touch more

Suggests a delicate or subtle increase in quantity or degree.

fractionally further

Implies an extremely small increment of advancement.

barely further

Highlights how minimal the extra progress is.

imperceptibly further

Indicates that the progress is so small as to be almost undetectable.

FAQs

How can I use "a shade further" in a sentence?

You can use "a shade further" to indicate a slight increase or advancement, such as, "If we adjust the color "a shade further", it will be perfect."

What does "a shade further" mean?

"A shade further" means a little bit more or to a slightly greater extent. It implies a small degree of change or advancement.

What are some alternatives to saying "a shade further"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly more", "a bit more", or "somewhat further" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a shade further" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a shade further" might be considered less formal. In formal contexts, alternatives like "slightly more" or "somewhat further" may be more suitable.