a shade more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shade more" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a slight increase or difference in degree or amount. Example: "This fabric is a shade more expensive than the one we considered earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Everyone became a shade more remote.

The New Yorker

She is more worldly than her husband, and may be a shade more moderate.

The Economist

The hipsters would nod, a shade more tentatively than they had before.

The New Yorker

On most issues, Africans seem to have become a shade more liberal since then.

The Economist

Labour and the Liberal Democrats propose to be only a shade more generous.

The Economist

If the office were a shade more glamorous, it would qualify as nondescript.

The New York Times

With a shade more precision Wasps might have been 20 points up by half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

They were all threatening, alien environments – but Pentonville felt a shade more extreme.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Puds read a shade more exciting than they seemed on the plate, but that might have been a side-effect of feeling full.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He himself liked to describe his perch between heaven and earth a shade more prosaically.

The New York Times

His politics are a shade more Blairish; his manner and accent more East End than Oxford don.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shade more" to indicate subtle differences or improvements, avoiding it when describing significant changes.

Common error

Avoid using "a shade more" when the difference is substantial; it can downplay the actual variation and mislead your audience. If something is significantly different, choose a more descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shade more" functions as a degree modifier, indicating a slight increase or difference in quantity, quality, or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shade more" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a slight increase or difference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news and media contexts to indicate subtle nuances. When using "a shade more", ensure that the context clearly establishes the comparison to maintain clarity. While the phrase is versatile, avoid overstating differences and choose more precise language when significant changes are involved. Some alternatives are "slightly more", "a bit more", or "somewhat more", and your choice should depend on desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more

Replaces "a shade" with "slightly", maintaining the meaning of a small increment.

a bit more

Substitutes "a shade" with "a bit", offering a more informal alternative.

somewhat more

Uses "somewhat" instead of "a shade", providing a slightly more formal tone.

marginally more

Emphasizes the smallness of the increase using the word "marginally".

a touch more

Replaces "a shade" with "a touch", suggesting a very slight addition.

just a little more

Expands the phrase for emphasis on the minimal increase.

ever so slightly more

Adds emphasis with "ever so slightly", highlighting the subtlety.

barely more

Uses "barely" to indicate the increase is at the lowest threshold.

scarcely more

Similar to 'barely more', this emphasizes the marginal nature of the increment.

a degree more

Substitute shade for degree, implying slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shade more" to indicate a slight increase or difference. For example: "This coffee needs "a shade more sugar"".

What are some alternatives to "a shade more"?

Some alternatives include "slightly more", "a bit more", or "somewhat more", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a shade more" or "a lot more"?

Both are correct, but they indicate different degrees. "A shade more" implies a small difference, while "a lot more" implies a significant difference. Use "a lot more" when there is a significant difference.

What's the difference between "a shade more" and "slightly more"?

The difference is negligible; both phrases are nearly interchangeable. "A shade more" might be considered slightly less formal than "slightly more".