a slight explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a brief or minimal clarification on a topic. Example: "Before we proceed, I would like to offer a slight explanation of the changes we are implementing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You can take it to the hardware store and often they will know exactly what you need with a picture and a slight explanation from you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr Jouty said: "At this stage, clearly, we are not in a position to have the slightest explanation or interpretation of the reasons that could have led this plane to descend... or the reasons why it did not respond to attempts to contact it by air traffic controllers".

BBC

On Wednesday, French safety investigators said that they had not "the slightest explanation" for the Germanwings crash, which has triggered a wide range of theories.

The Guardian

Mr. Bush never offered the slightest explanation of what he found lacking in the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act when he decided to ignore the law after 9/11 and ordered the warrantless wiretapping of Americans' overseas calls and e-mail.

The New York Times

At which point, he promptly threw in another figure without the slightest explanation -- "It was actually $1.7 billion in cash" -- in "one of the worst deals ever made by any country in history".

Huffington Post

It revealed that different manufacturers can charge wildly different prices for what is essentially the same generic medicine, and that drugstores can rake in unconscionable profits by passing along marked-up meds to customers without the slightest explanation.

Los Angeles Times

I did not hear the slightest explanation of why it was necessary to wait for Members of Parliament to discover this massive scandal nearly two years ago, and then recently for them to provide proof that their revelations were in fact true, before the Council would agree, in a very implicit and convoluted way, that there is indeed a problem.

EU Parlament

The quote I've ascribed to an imaginary candidate is a slight rewording of Russell Brand's explanation for his decision to edit an issue of the New Statesman; the "beautiful woman" who asked him is, I assume, the paper's associate editor and current Brand love interest (for want of a better phrase), Jemima Khan.

Independent

Again, I thought some cajoling would be necessary, so I used a slight variant of the birthday explanation.

Vice

When Again saId and done, ithoughtbably besomeo leave the dealing to the dealers and the cajolingof beef wouldngtons to the cooks.

Vice

Therefore, it is not a likely explanation that a slight impedance of the natural growth in childhood is the underlying reason for the thinning that we report.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight explanation" when introducing a brief or simplified clarification, particularly when the full details aren't necessary or would be too complex. For example: "I'll offer "a slight explanation" of the process before we begin."

Common error

Avoid using "a slight explanation" when a more detailed explanation is necessary for clarity. If the topic requires thorough understanding, opt for a more comprehensive explanation instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight explanation" functions as a noun phrase, where "slight" modifies the noun "explanation". It serves to introduce a clarification or justification that is brief or limited in scope. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight explanation" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for introducing a brief clarification. As Ludwig AI points out, it fits well in contexts where detailed information isn't required. While Ludwig's examples showcase a variety of contexts, it's less common than alternatives like "a brief explanation". When writing, remember to use it when a simple overview is sufficient, and avoid it when thorough understanding is necessary. While appropriate for general use, consider that news sources, scientific publications and wikis are more likely to include this phrase compared to academic or formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief explanation

Replaces "slight" with "brief", indicating a short explanation.

a small explanation

Substitutes "slight" with "small", suggesting a minor clarification.

a short explanation

Replaces "slight" with "short", focusing on the duration of the explanation.

a quick explanation

Substitutes "slight" with "quick", emphasizing the speed of the explanation.

a concise explanation

Replaces "slight" with "concise", highlighting the directness and lack of unnecessary detail.

a minimal explanation

Substitutes "slight" with "minimal", indicating the least possible explanation.

a basic explanation

Replaces "slight" with "basic", suggesting the explanation covers only fundamental aspects.

a rudimentary explanation

Substitutes "slight" with "rudimentary", implying a very simple or undeveloped explanation.

a touch of explanation

Uses a more figurative expression, implying a small amount of explanation is given.

a hint of explanation

Another figurative alternative indicating a subtle or indirect explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight explanation" when you want to offer a brief clarification or reason for something. For example: "Here's "a slight explanation" of why the changes were made."

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

You can use alternatives like "a brief explanation", "a small explanation", or "a quick explanation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to give "a slight explanation"?

It's appropriate to give "a slight explanation" when the full details aren't necessary or when you want to provide a simplified overview before diving deeper into a topic.

What's the difference between "a slight explanation" and "a detailed explanation"?

"A slight explanation" implies a brief and simplified clarification, while "a detailed explanation" suggests a more comprehensive and thorough account.