a slight fever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight fever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a mild, low-grade fever. For example, "My daughter has been feeling a little under the weather lately with a slight fever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A slight fever for a day.

The New York Times - Health

One day, just after Andrew turned a year old, he came down with a slight fever.

The New York Times - Magazine

After arriving in Memphis, King was exhausted and had developed a sore throat and a slight fever.

Stanford University

Rift Valley fever is usually mild and causes few if any symptoms other than a slight fever.

The New York Times - Travel

A volunteer took her temperature; she was running a slight fever but not high enough to stop treatment.

The Washington Post

Her first contact with health authorities was on 30 September when she complained of a slight fever and fatigue.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Diphtheria, which often begins with a sore throat, slight fever and chills, can lead to difficulty in swallowing and, in the most severe cases, suffocation.

Los Angeles Times

The early symptoms resemble an ordinary cold, including a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, slight fever, and mild cough.

The Guardian

In February 2000, dyspnea, productive cough, hemoptysis, weight loss, weakness, and slight fever developed in a 67-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (47 years earlier).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The New Yorker, January 22 , 1944P. 55 Slight fever?

The New Yorker

By LeGarde S. Doughty The New Yorker, January 22 , 1944P. 55 Slight fever?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing symptoms in medical or health-related contexts, "a slight fever" is a clear and universally understood way to indicate a mild temperature increase. Use it to convey the idea of a low-grade fever without alarming the reader.

Common error

Be careful not to use "a slight fever" when you mean a high or dangerous fever. "Slight" indicates mildness, so using it to describe a serious fever would be misleading and could trivialize a potentially urgent medical situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight fever" functions as a noun phrase, where 'slight' modifies the noun 'fever'. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing a symptom or condition. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to indicate a minor illness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight fever" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a mild elevation in body temperature. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general health discussions. While generally not a cause for major concern, understanding its meaning and potential implications is essential. Remember to use it accurately to avoid misleading readers about the severity of a medical condition. The frequency analysis shows its prevalence in news and scientific sources, indicating its role in informing the public about health-related issues. Always consider the context when using this phrase, and consult medical professionals for accurate diagnoses and treatment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mild fever

Replaces 'slight' with 'mild', indicating a similar level of intensity but with a more common descriptor.

a low-grade fever

Uses the medical term 'low-grade' to specify the fever's intensity.

a touch of fever

Employs a more informal expression, suggesting a minimal degree of fever.

a marginal fever

Substitutes 'slight' with 'marginal', implying the fever is barely noticeable or significant.

a barely perceptible fever

Highlights the subtle nature of the fever, indicating it's hard to detect.

a negligible fever

Indicates the fever is so small it's practically inconsequential.

a trace of fever

Similar to 'a touch of fever', this phrase denotes a very small and possibly fleeting fever.

a fleeting fever

Focuses on the short duration of the fever rather than its intensity.

a feverish sensation

Shifts the focus from a measured temperature to the subjective feeling of being feverish.

a temperature elevation

Replaces 'fever' with a more clinical-sounding term, suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

What does "a slight fever" mean?

The term "a slight fever" refers to a mild elevation in body temperature, typically indicating a low-grade fever that is not considered serious on its own. It's a common symptom of various minor illnesses.

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

You can use alternatives like "a mild fever", "a low-grade fever", or "a touch of fever" depending on the context.

Is "a slight fever" a cause for concern?

Generally, "a slight fever" is not a major cause for concern, but it's important to monitor other symptoms. If the fever persists or is accompanied by severe symptoms, seeking medical advice is recommended.

How is "a slight fever" different from a high fever?

"A slight fever" indicates a mild temperature increase, while a high fever signifies a significantly elevated temperature that may require medical attention. The specific temperature ranges vary slightly, but the terms clearly denote different levels of severity.