a slight one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is minor or not significant in degree or extent. Example: "The difference in their scores was a slight one, barely noticeable to the judges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Both treatments slightly inhibited EGFR expression; anti-EGFR antibody markedly reduced Erk and S6 phosphorylation and, differently, rapamycin had a strong effect on phospho-S6 and a slight one on phospho-Erk and 2(d)).

BioMed Research International

One of the women explains that a rain, even a slight one, gives the factories on the high ground an excuse to jettison their wastewater.

The New York Times - Arts

But only a slight one.

The Guardian

(A slight one at best).

The New York Times - Sports

But it was a slight one.

The New York Times - Arts

This may be an exaggeration, but only a slight one.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

For plants making nondurable goods, the operating rate dipped a slight one-tenth of a percentage point, to 83.9percentt.

The New York Times

The report said the November increase left spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $348.2 billion in November, compared with a revised $346.3 billion in October, when spending advanced a slight one-tenth of 1percentt.

The New York Times

Oddsmakers have opened betting with Los Angeles as a slight, one-point favorite against the spread.

Forbes

"From my point of view, from a Christian point of view, leaving aside the legal dimension, I don't think we did deal fairly".So if the English-speaking world has a moral edge, it can only be a very slight one, some might conclude on hearing the Cardinal's testimony.

The Economist

The 6 Plus probably has a slight edge over the Droid Turbo, but it's a very slight one indeed, and the Droid Turbo might be better in some situations, like when it comes to achieving background blur effects on close-up shots like most of those in the gallery below.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight one", ensure the context clearly defines what 'one' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight one" when the matter at hand is actually quite significant. Overusing the phrase can undermine your credibility and diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight one" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting as a noun phrase complement. It qualifies or describes a previously mentioned noun, indicating that it is minor or insignificant. Ludwig AI shows its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight one" is a versatile expression used to describe something that is minor, insignificant, or barely perceptible. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure its use is appropriate to the context and doesn't downplay something that is actually significant. Remember to clarify what 'one' refers to for clear communication. Consider alternatives like "a minor instance" or "a subtle element" to add variety to your writing and refine the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor instance

Replaces 'slight' with 'minor' and 'one' with 'instance', altering the noun used to represent the occurrence.

a small detail

Substitutes 'slight' with 'small' and 'one' with 'detail', focusing on the minute aspect of something.

a marginal case

Changes 'slight' to 'marginal' and 'one' to 'case', emphasizing the borderline or barely significant nature of the situation.

a faint example

Replaces 'slight' with 'faint' and 'one' with 'example', suggesting a weak or barely perceptible instance.

a subtle element

Substitutes 'slight' with 'subtle' and 'one' with 'element', highlighting the understated quality of a component.

an insignificant item

Changes 'slight' to 'insignificant' and 'one' to 'item', stressing the unimportance of something.

a negligible factor

Replaces 'slight' with 'negligible' and 'one' with 'factor', emphasizing the lack of impact of something.

a trivial matter

Substitutes 'slight' with 'trivial' and 'one' with 'matter', focusing on the unimportance of an issue.

a minimal occurrence

Changes 'slight' to 'minimal' and 'one' to 'occurrence', highlighting the very small frequency of something.

a reduced version

Replaces 'slight' with 'reduced' and 'one' with 'version', indicating a scaled-down form of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight one" to describe a minor difference, change, or instance. For example, "There was "a slight one" in the data between the two groups."

What's the difference between "a slight one" and "a minor one"?

While both phrases imply something is small or insignificant, "a slight one" often suggests a barely perceptible difference, whereas "a minor one" indicates something that is small but potentially noticeable.

Are there contexts where "a slight one" is inappropriate?

Yes, it is inappropriate to use "a slight one" when describing something of significant importance or impact. In such cases, using stronger language is more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "a slight one" to add variety to my writing?

Consider using phrases such as "a small detail", "a subtle element", or "an insignificant item" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.