a slight deviation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight deviation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small change or departure from a standard, norm, or expected outcome. Example: "The experiment showed a slight deviation from the predicted results, prompting further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One path is only a slight deviation, while the other is almost a U-turn.

The New York Times

The data demonstrated a slight deviation from the nationally calibrated models.

Transportation Geotechnics

The ball had taken a slight deviation off Albiol's back on the way through, and perhaps, without it, Pepe Reina might have made the save.

The Guardian - Sport

At this time petitioner was not represented by counsel and there was a slight deviation from a strictly accurate compliance with the court's directive.

Cornell University

The cell volume of Li2Fe1−yMnyP2O7 increases vs. Mn content with a slight deviation from the linearity.

Electrochimica Acta

Today, as a slight deviation, he reviews The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time, but then slips comfortably back into having a go at 'cool' games like Painkiller and Hitman.

The Guardian - Tech

Moreover, a slight deviation of one candidate may, due to the nonlinear relations between emissions and candidates, lead to high NOx deviations.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

In that work, the authors showed that a slight deviation from the ideal measurement settings can inadvertently introduce additional dimensions in the measured state, enabling the apparent measurement of a Bell parameter above the Tsirelson bound.

Nature

The engineering stress-strain curve is nearly linearity, however, a slight deviation away from linearity could be noted in the end of engineering stress-strain curve, which is attributed that the extra elastic deformation results in part of continued deformation.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

The PDE operating frequency had little impact on detonation initiation time when pre-detonator ignition method was used, and there was a slight deviation error of detonation initiation time at each of the operating frequencies.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Although a slight deviation was observed between experimental and modelled swellings at 60 and 70 °C, numerical results were satisfactory at mass uptake at 25, 40, 60 and 70 °C so confirming previous hypotheses.

International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental results, use "a slight deviation" to accurately represent minor discrepancies from expected outcomes, maintaining scientific precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight deviation" when the change is actually substantial. Overstating a small difference can undermine the credibility of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight deviation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a minor difference or departure from an expected norm or result, as seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight deviation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a minor difference or departure from a standard. Ludwig AI highlights its suitability for various contexts, primarily in science, news, and encyclopedic content. While alternatives like "a minor departure" or "a small variance" exist, it's essential to avoid overstating the significance of the deviation. This phrase strikes a balance between precision and accessibility, making it a valuable tool for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor departure

Replaces 'deviation' with 'departure', emphasizing the act of moving away from something.

a small variance

Substitutes 'deviation' with 'variance', highlighting the difference between expected and actual values.

a marginal difference

Uses 'marginal difference' to indicate that the change is barely noticeable.

a subtle alteration

Replaces 'deviation' with 'alteration', suggesting a change that is not immediately obvious.

a gentle shift

Emphasizes a gradual change using 'gentle shift' instead of a stark deviation.

a mild divergence

Utilizes 'divergence' to suggest a branching out or separation, but in a mild form.

a tiny modification

Replaces 'deviation' with 'modification', stressing the aspect of making something different.

a minimal change

Emphasizes the limited extent of the change using 'minimal'.

a fractional adjustment

Suggests a very precise and small alteration using 'fractional adjustment'.

a negligible difference

Indicates the difference is so small it's practically unimportant by using "negligible".

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight deviation" to describe a minor difference or change from a norm, plan, or expectation. For example, "There was "a slight deviation" in the experimental results compared to the predicted outcome".

What are some alternatives to saying "a slight deviation"?

Alternatives include "a minor departure", "a small variance", or "a marginal difference", depending on the specific context.

Is "a slight deviation" formal or informal?

"A slight deviation" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in scientific, news, and general writing.

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

"A slight deviation" indicates a small and often unimportant difference, while "a significant deviation" implies a noteworthy and potentially impactful difference.