a slight improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight improvement" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a small improvement, such as when something has been improved just a little. For example: "The new policy showed a slight improvement over the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The figures are a slight improvement on the previous campaign, when the club lost £8.1m.

BBC

It says it is a slight improvement on a year ago but remains a bleak picture.

BBC

There has been a slight improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

That was a slight improvement on the month of February.

The Guardian

That's only a slight improvement on the picture in 2008.

The Guardian

But there was a slight improvement in secondary schools.

The Guardian

After a month she noticed a slight improvement.

The Washington Post

A slight improvement of mechanical and physical characteristics was achieved.

Construction and Building Materials

The compromise is a slight improvement for the Democrats, though they still have Republican-leaning districts.

The New York Times

That's a slight improvement to build on September's rise in employment.

The Guardian - Business

The week commencing 29th October then saw a recovery, a slight improvement for the programme.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight improvement" to temper expectations, indicating that while progress has been made, significant changes may still be needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight improvement" when a more substantial improvement has actually occurred. Doing so can diminish the impact of the progress made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight improvement" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a minor positive change. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across varied contexts, reinforcing its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight improvement" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minor positive change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, avoiding overstatement and ensuring the context clearly indicates the basis for comparison. Consider alternatives like "a marginal gain" or "a modest advance" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal gain

Emphasizes the smallness of the improvement, focusing on the gain achieved.

a modest advance

Highlights the forward movement, portraying it as moderate in scale.

a minor enhancement

Focuses on the enhancement aspect, suggesting it's not substantial.

a subtle betterment

Implies the improvement is so slight it may be hard to notice.

a small step forward

Emphasizes the progress made, albeit in a limited way.

a touch of progress

Underscores the minimal amount of progress that has occurred.

a gentle upswing

Suggests a slight positive change, particularly in a trend or graph.

a mild upturn

Indicates a small positive change in a situation or trend.

a fractional advancement

Highlights that the improvement represents only a fraction of a larger goal.

an incremental change for the better

Focuses on the gradual nature of the improvement, emphasizing its positive direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight improvement" to describe a minor positive change. For example, "The company's profits showed "a slight improvement" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a slight improvement"?

Alternatives include "a marginal gain", "a modest advance", or "a minor enhancement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "slight improvement" or "small improvement"?

Both "slight improvement" and "small improvement" are acceptable. "Slight" may imply a more subtle or less noticeable change than "small", but they are often interchangeable.

What does it mean when something is described as "a slight improvement"?

It means there has been a positive change, but the change is not large or dramatic. It indicates a modest level of progress.