a slight cough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight cough" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, mild cough. Example: She tried to stifle a slight cough as she waited for her turn to speak.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He is thin; a slight cough has set in.

The New York Times

He has … Facebook Twitter Pinterest 4.05pm BST "Had a slight cough so took two paracetamol prior to my Saturday morning ride.

The Guardian - Sport

She had a slight cough, but did not seek medical treatment until after she had coughed on and infected a co-worker, a 47-year-old woman.

The New York Times

And then in the silence a twig snapped, and there was a slight cough, and we just held our breath – and then it seemed to go away.

The Guardian - Books

This happened Wednesday, during a taping of "The Martha Stewart Show," when Ms. Stewart stopped filming for a moment because of a slight cough.

The New York Times

We start with a slight cough in his shabby flat and follow him, in an ambulance, through several hospitals over nearly three hours, to dementia, incontinence and paralysis, until he's left cold, grey, naked and alone on a slab.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I was standing at the takeout counter at Le Pain Quotidien waiting for a coffee when I had a slight coughing fit.

The New York Times

A 40-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the hospital complaining of a 3-week history of slight cough and increased shortness of breath on exertion and a 2-week history of occasional hemoptysis.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Clinical signs in humans are generally mild and include fever, slight cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Clinical signs in pigs include fever, slight cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

In a Cochrane review published recently, in which eight clinical trials were included with a total of 570 patients with subacute or chronic cough, inhaled corticosteroids resulted in a slight decrease in cough score, but data about its duration were not available.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing symptoms in medical contexts, be precise about the nature of the cough. Specify if it's dry, productive, or accompanied by other symptoms for clarity.

Common error

Avoid dismissing a "slight cough" as insignificant, especially if it persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Seek medical advice to rule out underlying issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight cough" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a symptom description. It modifies the noun "cough" with the adjective "slight", indicating a mild or low-intensity instance of coughing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight cough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase to describe a mild instance of coughing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and formal business documents. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid misinterpreting a seemingly insignificant symptom, as it could indicate a more serious condition. Remember to be precise when describing symptoms and consider seeking medical advice if the cough persists or worsens.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mild cough

Replaces "slight" with "mild", suggesting a similarly low-intensity cough.

a gentle cough

Uses "gentle" to soften the description, implying a soft and non-forceful cough.

a weak cough

Emphasizes the lack of strength in the cough.

a small cough

Focuses on the size or impact of the cough rather than its intensity.

a dry cough

Specifies the type of cough, indicating it's not productive.

a persistent cough

Highlights the duration of the cough, not its intensity.

a tickling cough

Refers to a cough caused by throat irritation.

a hacking cough

Describes a forceful, frequent cough.

a chesty cough

Suggests a cough originating from the chest, often implying congestion.

a spasmodic cough

Characterizes a sudden and involuntary cough.

FAQs

How to use "a slight cough" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight cough" to describe a mild coughing symptom. For example: "She had "a slight cough" but otherwise felt fine."

What can I say instead of "a slight cough"?

You can use alternatives like "a mild cough", "a gentle cough", or "a weak cough" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a slight cough" or "a small cough"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""a slight cough"" usually refers to the intensity of the cough, while "a small cough" refers to the impact of the cough.

When should I be concerned about "a slight cough"?

You should be concerned if ""a slight cough"" persists for more than a few days, is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath, or if it changes in nature.