a slight modification

USAGE SUMMARY

"a slight modification" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a small or incremental change. For example, "The design team made a slight modification to the product before it's launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another engineer described a slight modification to a popular application.

The New York Times - Tech

Goldman's dictum may need a slight modification: Nobody knows anything — except how to open big.

The New Yorker

Is there no vision other than a slight modification of what the private landowners want?

The Guardian

At the same time, the judge said a slight modification in the Miranda warnings, where necessary, was acceptable.

The New York Times

Sforzato (sfz) means a sudden sharp accent, and sforzando (sf ), a slight modification of this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A slight modification in the primer design is suggested.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

This requires a slight modification to the governing equations.

Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies

However, a slight modification was made to the synthetic procedure.

Nano-Micro Letters

They are merely a slight modification of existing models of belief for situations of ambiguity.

SEP

A slight modification in the procedure would be needed if data on secondary production were available.

Journal of Economic Structures

CdSe quantum dot suspension was prepared according to the literature with a slight modification [20].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight modification" when you want to downplay the significance of a change. It suggests the core remains the same, but with some fine-tuning.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight modification" when the change is actually substantial. This can mislead your audience and undermine the importance of the alteration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight modification" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, denoting a minor alteration or change. Ludwig's examples illustrate its common usage in academic and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight modification" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a minor change or adjustment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in diverse contexts, especially in scientific and technical writing, and conveys a sense of minimal alteration. When using the phrase, ensure that the change is indeed minor to avoid misrepresentation. Alternative phrases like ""a minor adjustment"" or ""a subtle change"" can be used to add variety to your writing. While versatile, it's important to note its absence from some contexts, highlighting its preference for precision and factual description over informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor adjustment

Focuses on the act of adjusting, implying a more hands-on approach to the change.

a small alteration

Emphasizes the resulting change, often implying a visible or noticeable difference, even if minor.

a subtle change

Highlights the delicacy and potential unnoticeability of the modification.

a marginal difference

Indicates that the modification has a minimal impact or effect.

a modest revision

Implies a formal or planned change, often in written material or processes.

a minimal tweak

Suggests a very small and precise adjustment, often used in technical contexts.

a touch of improvement

Highlights the positive outcome of the modification, focusing on enhancement.

a gentle refinement

Emphasizes the smoothness and subtlety of the modification process.

a mere adjustment

Underlines the insignificance or simplicity of the change.

a light adjustment

Indicates a change that is not drastic or heavy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight modification" to describe a minor change to something. For example, "The recipe requires "a slight modification" to the baking time".

What's the difference between "a slight modification" and "a major overhaul"?

"A slight modification" refers to a small change, while "a major overhaul" indicates a significant and extensive change. Use "a slight modification" when the core structure remains largely unchanged.

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

Alternatives include "a minor adjustment", "a subtle change", or "a small alteration" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "slight modification to" or "slight modification of"?

Both "slight modification to" and "slight modification of" are acceptable. "To" is often used to indicate a change made in order to achieve a particular aim, while "of" refers to the thing being modified. For example, “a slight modification to the plan” versus “a slight modification of the design”.