a slight lean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight lean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small inclination or tilt of an object or person. Example: "The painting on the wall had a slight lean to the left, making it look a bit off-center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

If you are snapping out from the right side of your bunker, face more to the right so that you will be doing a slight lean forward and can avoid awkwardly leaning to the side (this may vary, depending on the comfort and the experience of the player) also, when switching to the opposite side of your bunker, you should also consider switching your gun to the other hand.

WikiHow

Yours is the tallest one; it's 12th century with a slight lean.

The Guardian - Travel

Lindsay said Ms Dhu was handcuffed and flanked by two police officers when she arrived at the police station at 9.21pm, and appeared to be walking with a slight lean.

The Guardian

d Repaired result by ASEII. Figure 10a shows the damaged image, with Tara's head crown showing a bilateral symmetry with a slight lean.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The structural damage is classified as moderate/heavy owing to the fact that the structure is still standing and the only visible damage being a slight lean.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The Winner: Tie (With a slight lean in Droid's direction as it has a swappable battery – but really, what percentage of the population carries one?).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In that video where Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela meet (two people that have the right to think they're each a pretty big deal), both show deference -- a slight lean-in and step forward, using the free arm for extra touch, smiling.[5] They're conveying that they respect and like the other -- which goes a long way to being liked in return.

WikiHow

The scatterplot is all over the place, with perhaps a slight negative lean.

The New Yorker

You should also adopt a slight forward lean, starting at the ankles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stand tall (possibly with a slight forward lean).

Huffington Post

If you add a slight forward lean, you want to "tilt" forward at your heels.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight lean" to describe minor deviations from a straight or upright position. For instance, in descriptions of posture, architecture, or even abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "slight" excessively in your writing. While "a slight lean" is appropriate, varying your descriptive language can enhance readability and prevent your writing from sounding monotonous. Instead of always relying on "slight", consider more descriptive alternatives that provide richer imagery and a clearer sense of scale and intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight lean" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight lean" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a minor inclination or tilt. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable. Its frequency is categorized as common, and its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and is suitable for neutral registers. When seeking alternatives, consider "a gentle incline" or "a subtle tilt". Be cautious not to overuse the descriptor "slight" to maintain engaging and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small inclination

Highlights the minimal degree of deviation.

a subtle tilt

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing the inclination.

a minor slant

Highlights a diagonal direction or tendency.

a barely perceptible incline

Focuses on how hardly one can observe or feel the inclination.

a gentle incline

Focuses on the gradual nature of the slope or tilt.

a delicate gradient

Suggests a smooth and barely perceptible change in elevation.

an almost imperceptible tilt

Stresses that the tilt is so small it's nearly impossible to detect.

a hair's breadth tilt

Emphasizes the extreme subtlety and minuteness of the tilt.

a touch of a slope

Uses 'touch' to imply a barely perceptible amount of inclination.

a trace of a list

Implies an almost undetectable tilt or inclination, especially to one side.

FAQs

What does "a slight lean" mean?

The phrase "a slight lean" refers to a small or subtle inclination or tilt. It suggests that something is not perfectly upright or level, but the deviation is minimal.

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

You can use "a slight lean" to describe physical objects or abstract concepts. For example, "The tower had "a slight lean" due to the earthquake" or "The data showed "a slight lean" towards the positive side".

What are some alternatives to "a slight lean"?

Some alternatives to "a slight lean" include "a gentle incline", "a subtle tilt", or "a small inclination". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a slight lean"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase consists of an article ("a"), an adjective ("slight"), and a noun ("lean"), forming a valid noun phrase.