a slight boost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a slight boost' is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a small increase in something or a small improvement in a situation. For example: - The new marketing strategy gave sales a slight boost. - Her confidence received a slight boost after receiving positive feedback. - The economy showed a slight boost in the latest quarterly report. - Taking a vitamin supplement can give your immune system a slight boost.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Prius's electric motor is relatively small, providing only a slight boost.

The New York Times

But Mr Netanyahu seems to have suffered no electoral damage, and may have had a slight boost.

The Economist

Despite having surpassed analysts' expectations -- by a large margin in the cases of Citigroup and Merrill Lynch -- the companies got only a slight boost from investors.

The New York Times

"I think there's a certain peculiarity in my case – being the son of – which if anything was a slight boost when I started out.

The Guardian

This is essentially to allow support for demanding HDR video effects (see below), but it will also mean that some games get a slight boost in frame rate.

The Guardian - Tech

Analysts said the lower-than-expected deficit in March will most likely give a slight boost to overall economic growth for the January-March quarter.

The New York Times

Republican and Democratic appropriators, who just gave the program budget a slight boost for this year, signaled their unease as part of the recently passed spending bill.

The Washington Post

Instead, the court is likely to impose a temporary map of its own that could give Democrats a slight boost going into the election next year.

The New York Times

His flip-flop, although it seems to have given him a slight boost in the polls, raises again the temperament question.

The New York Times

Adele's "21" (XL/Columbia) remained at No. 2, after a slight boost in sales from a prime-time special on NBC featuring the British soul singer.

The New York Times

Since a relative excess of spin-down atoms in one well gives it a slight boost in energy, it will knock some of its spin-zero atoms into the neighboring wells.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data, quantify "a slight boost" with percentages or numerical ranges to provide clearer context and improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight boost" when the actual impact is negligible or statistically insignificant. Ensure the increase is noticeable and relevant to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight boost" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a minor increase or improvement. Examples show its use in describing economic growth, performance enhancements, or even political gains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slight boost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a minor increase or improvement across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and widely understood. Its prevalence in news, science, and business contexts highlights its neutral register and broad applicability. While "a slight boost" is appropriate in many situations, remember to quantify the increase for clarity and avoid overstating its impact. Consider alternatives like "a modest increase" or "a marginal improvement" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest increase

Replaces 'boost' with 'increase' and 'slight' with 'modest', suggesting a similar but gentle rise.

a marginal improvement

Substitutes 'boost' with 'improvement' and 'slight' with 'marginal', indicating a small positive change.

a small advantage

Replaces 'boost' with 'advantage' and 'slight' with 'small', suggesting a minor gain or benefit.

a mild enhancement

Swaps 'boost' for 'enhancement' and 'slight' for 'mild', denoting a gentle strengthening or improvement.

a minor upturn

Uses 'upturn' instead of 'boost' and 'minor' instead of 'slight', indicating a small upward trend.

a gentle push

Replaces 'boost' with 'push' and 'slight' with 'gentle', suggesting a mild encouragement or impetus.

a limited stimulus

Substitutes 'boost' with 'stimulus' and 'slight' with 'limited', indicating a restricted or small motivating effect.

a touch of momentum

Replaces "a slight boost" to indicates something that has gotten a touch of momentum, has gotten the first little impulse to start moving.

a minimal gain

Replace the whole sentence with 'a minimal gain', focusing on the fact that it is something acquired but very small.

a fractional increase

Replace the whole sentence with 'a fractional increase', which refers to a very small or tiny increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight boost" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight boost" to describe a small increase or improvement. For example, "The new marketing campaign gave sales "a slight boost"".

What are some alternatives to "a slight boost"?

Alternatives include "a modest increase", "a marginal improvement", or "a small advantage" depending on the context.

Is "a slight boost" formal or informal?

"A slight boost" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "a marginal increase".

What's the difference between "a slight boost" and "a significant boost"?

"A slight boost" indicates a small, often subtle improvement, while "a significant boost" implies a much larger, more noticeable increase.