a slight divergence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight divergence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small difference or deviation from a particular point, idea, or path. Example: "There was a slight divergence in our opinions regarding the project's direction, but we managed to find common ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We observe only a slight divergence of the spatial expansion in the long-term evolution.

Combustion and Flame

The scene, though charming, entails a slight divergence from the habits of the actual Reverend Austen, whose idea of a wild time was to read aloud the poetry of William Cowper.

The New Yorker

A slight divergence in their goals and our goals could be enough to end humanity.

TechCrunch

A slight divergence in their goals and our goals could be enough to end humanity.

TechCrunch

However, when examining income means and medians in Figure 2, we seem to detect a positive income effect, although a slight divergence in earnings is revealed in the early years.

IZA Journal of Migration

But there is a slight divergence between how the two view the process getting there.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

At the same time, Ryan has gained a reputation as someone who plays fast and loose with the facts, which means journalists and social networkers will be scrutinizing his every word for any slight divergence from God's gospel truth.

Huffington Post

In contrast, the GZCNT-coated cell obtained the best stability of 520 cycles, while the CNT-coated cell tended to exhibit a slight voltage divergence starting at the 400th cycle.

Nature

The OBV did form a slight negative divergence at the recent highs.

Forbes

For the remaining combinations, i.e. contrasting habitats in contrasting landscapes or the same habitats in the same or a similar landscape, successions may exhibit no or only slight divergence or convergence.

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

If we had only the most recent polls from PPP and CNN/Time to consider, we might attribute the slight divergence between them to random sampling error, as the differences for each candidate in their most recent polls fall well within the respective margins of error (with the possible exception of the higher support for Rick Santorum on the latest CNN/Time poll).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight divergence" to precisely indicate a minor difference or deviation, ensuring the context clearly establishes what is diverging.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight divergence" when the difference is actually substantial or impactful. Ensure the adjective 'slight' accurately reflects the magnitude of the divergence to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight divergence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a small difference or deviation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight divergence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a minor difference or deviation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly encountered in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it's a valuable term for precise communication. When using the phrase, ensure that the divergence is indeed minor to maintain accuracy. Consider alternatives like "a minor difference" or "a small deviation" to fine-tune your message. Always provide context about what is diverging. As highlighted by the example sentences, its effective use enhances clarity and precision in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor difference

Focuses on the size of the difference, using 'minor' instead of 'slight'.

a small deviation

Emphasizes the act of straying from a path or standard, replacing 'divergence' with 'deviation'.

a marginal variation

Highlights the degree of change, with 'marginal' suggesting a minimal impact.

a subtle distinction

Stresses the difficulty in perceiving the difference, using 'subtle' to indicate its understated nature.

a negligible disparity

Implies that the difference is so small it's practically unimportant, substituting 'divergence' with 'disparity'.

a minimal discrepancy

Emphasizes the inconsistency or lack of alignment, replacing 'divergence' with 'discrepancy'.

a touch of variance

Uses 'touch' to convey the slightness and 'variance' as a synonym for divergence.

a hint of separation

Suggests the beginning of a division or moving apart, replacing 'divergence' with 'separation'.

a whisper of difference

Conveys that the difference is barely perceptible, utilizing metaphorical language.

a hairline split

Uses a visual metaphor to describe a very fine or narrow division.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight divergence" to indicate a small difference or deviation between two or more things. For example: "There was "a slight divergence in their opinions" regarding the budget allocation."

What are some alternatives to "a slight divergence"?

Alternatives include "a minor difference", "a small deviation", or "a marginal variation" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what is diverging when using "a slight divergence"?

Yes, it is best practice to clarify what two or more things are showing "a minor difference" to give context and meaning to the sentence. For example, "A slight divergence in the data suggests further investigation is needed."

Can "a slight divergence" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a slight divergence" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though it is more commonly found in neutral or professional contexts due to its precise and somewhat technical nature.