a slight question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that the question you are about to ask is minor or not very significant. Example: "I have a slight question regarding the meeting time; could you confirm if it starts at 3 PM?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"To be honest, as great a physical condition as she's now in, there always has to be a slight question mark about that," he said at last, emphasizing the word slight.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Asked if it limited him at all, Gronkowski dismissed the question with a slight head shake, saying, "I was 100 percent out there doing everything they asked me to do".

The New York Times - Sports

When I ask if he ever forgets a slight, the question is meant to be a joke, but he replies in the same sinister monotone.

The Guardian - Books

Although we can not know the effect of a slight difference in question design, it is not likely that it would fully explain this finding.

BMC Public Health

He gave a slight sigh when questioned about the PQ's choice of terminology.

Vice

If you've never met a gay person or even had the slightest question about how we operate: Let me assure you that it is quite true.

Huffington Post

Inmates do not have regular access to the internet, so while outsiders can Google the slightest question, the incarcerated have to use an old-fashioned form of search engine: the printed encyclopedia.

Vice

There is not the slightest question [of doping] whatsoever".

The Guardian - Sport

"There is not the slightest question," she wrote, "that the persecution of the Jews has reached its awful climax in a campaign to wipe them out of Europe.

The New York Times

"To eliminate even the slightest question, we are taking the step of paying for gifts given to us in 2000," Mr. Clinton said in the statement.

The New York Times

And then I had a grandmother--whom I write about, for the first time, in this book--who would clam up at even the slightest question.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight question", ensure the actual question aligns with the implied level of importance. Avoid using it for complex or critical issues as it can undermine the significance of the inquiry.

Common error

While suitable in many scenarios, excessively using "a slight question" in formal or high-stakes environments might create an impression of indecisiveness or lack of confidence. Consider alternatives for formal inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight question" functions as a pre-modifier followed by a noun, used to introduce an inquiry that the speaker or writer perceives as minor or not particularly significant. Ludwig's examples support this use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight question" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an inquiry perceived as minor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While predominantly found in news and media, and science, its usage spans from formal to informal settings. To maintain clarity and avoid miscommunication, it's crucial to align the actual question's importance with the implied level of significance when employing this phrase. Consider other options to ensure that the message is well received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor query

Replaces "question" with "query" indicating a formal inquiry and slight changes the level of formality.

a small question

Substitutes "slight" with "small", indicating reduced significance in a more direct way.

a trivial question

Replaces "slight" with "trivial", suggesting the question is unimportant or insignificant.

a minor concern

Changes "question" to "concern", implying the inquiry relates to a worry or issue that is not serious.

a simple question

Substitutes "slight" with "simple", focusing on the ease of answering rather than the importance.

a brief inquiry

Replaces the whole phrase, describing a short and quick question.

a light question

Uses "light" instead of "slight" to describe the weight or importance of the question.

a gentle question

Replaces "slight" with "gentle" suggesting the way of asking is delicate or mild.

a passing question

Indicates the question is casual and fleeting.

a quick question

Focuses on the speed with which the question can be asked and answered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight question" to introduce a minor or less important inquiry. For example: "I have a slight question regarding the deadline" or "There's a slight question about the budget allocation".

What are some alternatives to "a slight question"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a minor query", "a small question", or "a trivial question".

Is it appropriate to use "a slight question" in formal writing?

While "a slight question" is generally acceptable, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal phrase like "a minor query" in highly formal contexts.

What does "a slight question" imply about the question's importance?

"A slight question" suggests that the inquiry is not particularly important or complex and should not require a lengthy or complicated answer.