a slight lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a slight lower' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has decreased slightly, either in terms of a number or physical size. For example: "The temperature has dropped a slight lower overnight."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The dissemination of information is the least important criterion in their view, having only a slight lower weight from innovation.

European Transport Research Review

The D-MCF electrode exhibits a slight lower discharge capacity and an increased overpotential than that of S-SCF due to the decreased surface area and oxygen content.

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

The only alternative deviation left is that either insurer 2 or insurer 3 undercuts insurer 1, that is, it offers full coverage with a slight lower premium.

SERIEs

In paired comparisons, the smaller twins were somatically smaller and had a slight lower Griffiths' developmental quotient (GQ) than the co-twins without cerebral palsy [mean±S.D. 100±13, range 73 117, versus 104±12, 80 124, p=0.002].

Early Human Development

The waist circumference, the triceps- and subscapular-skinfolds sum and the fat mass index showed similar results, and just predicted a slight lower proportion of the variance in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (Table  4).

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Indeed, a slight lowering of the blood pressure is commonly noted during the course of the pregnancy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In white women, however, 200 milligrams or more of caffeine appeared to have a slight lowering effect on estrogen.

The New York Times

Once this happens, however, trade explodes, so that a slight lowering of trade barriers can cause a huge increase in trade.

The Economist

Still, by the standards of the current recovery, the employment report offered plenty of good news, and this despite the bureau's annual benchmark revisions, which resulted in a slight lowering of job numbers reported last year.

The New York Times

With a slight lowering of the ideological temperature, there has been far more willingness to see in the Soviet experiment not just horror and death but good intentions, contradictions, and commonalities with Western modernity.

The New Yorker

Notably, MNA supplementation to diabetic rats caused a slight lowering effect on blood glucose level.

Neurochemistry International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "slightly lower" instead of "a slight lower" for improved grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the article "a" directly before adjectives like "slight" when modifying comparative adjectives like "lower". The correct form is "slightly lower".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight lower" attempts to function as an adjectival modifier describing a comparative state. However, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "slightly lower". The use of 'a slight' is awkward in this context as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slight lower" is an attempt to describe something as being a small amount less than something else. However, as Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to express this idea is to use "slightly lower". Although examples of the phrase can be found across various sources, its incorrect grammar detracts from its efficacy. Always favor the grammatically sound "slightly lower" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly lower

Uses an adverb to modify 'lower', making it grammatically correct.

a bit lower

Employs a more informal term ('bit') for 'slight'.

a marginally lower

Replaces 'slight' with 'marginally', indicating a small degree.

a minimally lower

Substitutes 'slight' with 'minimally', suggesting a very small difference.

a fraction lower

Uses 'fraction' to emphasize the small amount of reduction.

a touch lower

A more colloquial way to express a slight decrease.

a shade lower

Similar to 'a touch lower', indicating a very subtle difference.

somewhat lower

Replaces 'slight' with 'somewhat', indicating a moderate degree.

a trifle lower

Uses 'trifle' to suggest a very insignificant difference.

a hint lower

Implies a subtle or barely noticeable decrease.

FAQs

Is "a slight lower" grammatically correct?

No, the grammatically correct form is "slightly lower". The adverb 'slightly' correctly modifies the comparative adjective 'lower'.

What's the difference between "a slight lower" and "slightly lower"?

"A slight lower" is grammatically incorrect. Use "slightly lower" to correctly express a small decrease.

How can I use "slightly lower" in a sentence?

Example: "The price is slightly lower than last year's."

Are there alternatives to "slightly lower"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a bit lower" or "marginally lower" depending on the context.