a slight minority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight minority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small group within a larger population that holds a particular opinion or characteristic. Example: "In the recent survey, a slight minority of participants expressed dissatisfaction with the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Originally intended to introduce his fans to a character he planned to play in an upcoming movie (that was never released), the assumption of Chris Gaines in the album (1999) baffled his fans and led to generic pop songs that won favor with only a slight minority, thus awarding the country sensation his first flop.

Britannica

These conditions could have influenced the questionnaire outcomes, although the number of patients is a slight minority compared to the total sample size, therefore we argued this to be of negligible influence.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

James Landale, deputy political editor: "After an extraordinary night, some brief conclusions: With a small majority or slight minority for David Cameron, Tory MPs will be much empowered.

BBC

Since then, the proportion of saying often or sometimes justified has moved from a substantial minority to a slight majority.

Huffington Post

In its recent classes, about 40percentt of the students were women, for example, and a slight majority of students were minorities.

TechCrunch

Total time spent viewing television has risen again this year, even as slight minorities of people forgo owning televisions or subscribing to cable for economic and cultural reasons.

The New York Times

"Of the minority who did express an opinion, a slight majority were favourable.

BBC

Further, although a slight majority of participants were receiving assistance for substance abuse problems, a significant minority of participants' needs were considered to be unmet here.

Health & Justice

While only a minority of Americans, 27.6%, have graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree or more, a slight majority, 53%, of Americans had "some college" education.

Wikipedia

Even for wnt8a, while we observe a slight lag in a minority of M ybx1 sg8 deletion mutant embryos, wnt8a RNA does in fact get transported and is correctly localized both to the blastoderm and asymmetrically to the vegetal cortex (black arrowheads and arrow in revised Figure 4 figure supplement 1A), by the 4-cell stage in all mutant embryos.

eLife

In terms of the demographic breakdown, there has been just a slight shift since 2011; two additional minority lawmakers hold elected office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "a slight minority", ensure the context clearly defines the larger group from which this minority is drawn.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight minority" when the group is actually substantial or significant; this can mislead readers about the true proportions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight minority" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It identifies a small and relatively unimportant subgroup within a larger population or set. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight minority" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small, often insignificant, subgroup within a larger population. While Ludwig's examples suggest it is not a highly frequent expression, it is appropriate in various contexts, particularly news, science, and encyclopedic writing. The key is to use it accurately, ensuring that the subgroup is indeed small and that its relevance or impact is genuinely limited. Consider alternatives like "a small minority" or "a tiny minority" for subtle variations in emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, further validating its inclusion in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small minority

Emphasizes the size of the minority group.

a tiny minority

Highlights the extremely small size of the group.

a slim minority

Suggests the minority is barely present.

a marginal minority

Indicates the minority is insignificant or on the edge.

a negligible minority

Implies the minority's impact is unimportant.

a fractional minority

Highlights the very small portion represented by the minority.

a limited minority

Indicates a restriction on the size or influence of the minority.

a handful of people

Expresses the fewness of the individuals involved.

a scattering of individuals

Highlights the dispersed and infrequent presence of the minority.

an isolated few

Indicates the minority is alone and separated from the majority.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight minority" to describe a small group within a larger one, for example: "A slight minority of students preferred the old curriculum."

What are some alternatives to "a slight minority"?

Alternatives include "a small minority", "a tiny minority", or "a slim minority", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small minority" or "a slight minority"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Slight" emphasizes the smallness of the minority to a greater degree. Consider the precise nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "a slight minority" and "a slight majority"?

"A slight minority" refers to a small portion less than half of a group, whereas "a slight majority" indicates a small portion more than half. The key difference is whether the group is above or below 50%.