a slight speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight speed" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to a small increase or decrease in speed, but it is more natural to use other expressions. Example: "The car picked up a slight speed as it went downhill."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

OneWorld seemed to have a slight speed advantage upwind.

The New York Times - Sports

Tighter pants presumably give racers a slight speed advantage.

The New York Times

The dream scenario for many Cup watchers is that Team New Zealand's black boat has a slight speed advantage over Coutts and Alinghi.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, the only model that seemed to have a slight speed advantage was the Linksys access point, with its dual antennae.

The New York Times - Tech

"In conclusion, although male horses and dogs do hold a slight speed advantage over conspecific females, the difference is an order of magnitude smaller than that seen in humans (1percentt versus 10percentt).

The New York Times

When the series began, the conventional wisdom went like this: With a slight speed deficit in some conditions, Cayard and his more experienced crew would ultimately prevail after rattling the Italians with an aggressive, street-fighting style.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mr. Obama did call for an extension of the payroll tax cut "as soon as possible," a slight speeding up of the end-of-the-year timetable which the administration had been seeking.

The New York Times

Healthy controls show ceiling level performance on the cyclical matching tasks and, if anything, a slight speeding up of reaction time with repetition (Gardner et al., 2012).

Brain

In response to depolarization, Na+ currents expressed by all combinations of scn8aa ± β1 subunits activated rapidly, although there was a slight speeding of the rate of current activation in the presence of Scn1b, scn1ba_tv1, or scn1ba_tv2 compared to scn8aa alone (Fig. 11A), as shown previously for Scn1b [ 48].

BMC Genomics

The ships were highly maneuverable and had a tight turning radius, and only lost slight speed in a head sea.

Wikipedia

You've got Jess, the slight speed merchant, against the stronger girls.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes in speed, consider using more dynamic verbs like 'accelerate' or 'decelerate' with adverbs such as 'slightly' or 'marginally' for a more vivid description.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "a slight speed" too often, especially in formal writing, can make your prose sound monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight speed" functions as a noun phrase, where 'slight' modifies the noun 'speed'. This phrase is typically used to describe a minimal or almost imperceptible velocity or pace. As Ludwig AI points out, it might sound awkward at times.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight speed" is a noun phrase used to describe a minimal or subtle amount of speed. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase, while grammatically correct, may sound awkward and isn't the most common choice. Its usage is seen more in news and scientific contexts than in formal writing, where more precise terms might be preferred. When using this phrase, consider whether alternative expressions like "a small increase in speed" or "a minor acceleration" might be more effective. Despite it being uncommon there are many real life examples of its use on Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal velocity

Replaces "slight speed" with synonyms, focusing on the degree of velocity.

a small acceleration

Focuses on the change in speed rather than the speed itself.

a minor velocity

Similar to 'a marginal velocity', using a different adjective to describe the degree of velocity.

a touch of speed

Uses a more figurative expression to convey a small amount of speed.

a trace of speed

Suggests an almost imperceptible amount of speed.

a minimal pace

Emphasizes the pace or rate of movement, keeping it at a minimum.

a low velocity

Describes the speed as being at the lower end of the scale.

a reduced tempo

Refers to a slight decrease in the tempo, often in the context of music or performance.

a restrained speed

Implies a controlled or limited level of speed.

a modest clip

Informal way of saying that something is moving at a reasonable, but not fast, speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight speed" to describe a minimal or small amount of speed. For example: "The car picked up "a slight speed" as it rolled downhill."

What are some alternatives to "a slight speed"?

Alternatives include "a small increase in speed", "a minor acceleration", or "a marginal velocity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slight speed" or "slightly faster"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Slightly faster" ( "slightly faster" ) is generally more concise and direct when comparing speeds. "A slight speed" might be used when describing the speed itself as a characteristic.

What's the difference between "a slight speed" and "a slow speed"?

"A slow speed" ( "a slow speed" ) describes a generally low velocity, while "a slight speed" refers to a small amount of speed that may or may not be inherently slow. It implies a minimal or almost imperceptible speed.