a slight touch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight touch of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a small amount or degree of something. For example: "The dish was enhanced with a slight touch of garlic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Elsewhere, a slight touch of green in the sea hints at fathomless deeps.

The New Yorker

I also failed to notice what Leslie Stephen, an early critic, described as "a slight touch of stupidity" about Dorothea.

The New Yorker

Among the most sculpturally distinctive parts of the project, the bases also resemble stakes, which adds a slight touch of gallows humor.

The New York Times - Arts

A jukebox in the bordello's parlor that is programmed with the blues offers a slight touch of magical realism to the play, which otherwise is composed straightforwardly.

The New York Times

Smoothly elusive, elegant, structured, medium-bodied, it is packed with cherry fruits, has a slight touch of spice and is fresh on the palate.

Independent

The assyrtiko grape can produce wines with intense mineral flavors, and this wine, with a slight touch of sweetness, was delicious.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Weedy rice differs in the degree of shattering, but all weedy rice readily shed their seeds either naturally like wild rice or at a slight touch during the harvesting of rice.

Rice

See research article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/10/17 For swimmers close to Pacific coastlines, a slight touch by the tentacles of a box jellyfish can be dangerous or even fatal.

BMC Biology

The striker, just onside, raced clear on goal but a combination of a slight touch from the recovering Alberto Moreno and a fine save from Simon Mignolet diverted Sacko's low shot.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, as stoppage time stretched towards a third minute, mostly caused by Sebastiano Rossi making rather too much of a slight touch by Stoichkov, the goalkeeper picked up a harmless bouncing ball and began the move.

The Guardian - Sport

Fig. 5 Time response of the drain current to a slight touch with an object.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for subtlety in writing, use "a slight touch of" to subtly introduce elements without overpowering the main subject. For example, instead of saying "The room had a lot of blue", you could say "The room had a slight touch of blue" to suggest a softer presence.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight touch of" repeatedly in close proximity. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms such as "a subtle hint of" or "a trace of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight touch of" functions as a modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating a minimal quantity or degree. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It is often used to introduce elements without being overwhelming.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight touch of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a minimal amount or degree of something. According to Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for a range of contexts, with a prevalence in News & Media. When using this phrase, remember to maintain subtlety and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "a subtle hint of" or "a trace of" can enhance the variety in your writing. Ludwig confirms that this expression is reliable and valuable for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle hint of

Replaces "touch" with "hint" to emphasize a delicate indication rather than a physical contact.

a dash of

Implies a quick and small addition, typically used with intangible qualities like flavor or color.

a trace of

Suggests an extremely small and almost imperceptible amount.

a tinge of

Similar to a trace, but often refers to a color or emotion.

a hint of

Emphasizes a subtle suggestion or indication.

a whisper of

Creates a more evocative image of something barely present.

a speck of

Refers to a tiny particle or amount, often literal but applicable to intangible qualities.

a glimmer of

Suggests a faint and unsteady appearance, often used for positive attributes like hope or light.

a shadow of

Implies a vague and dark impression.

an element of

Indicates the presence of a specific ingredient or component, altering the focus from quantity to inclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight touch of" in a sentence?

Use "a slight touch of" to indicate a small amount or degree of something. For example: "The sauce needs "a slight touch of salt"" or "The design incorporates "a slight touch of whimsy"".

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

You can use alternatives like "a subtle hint of", "a trace of", or "a tinge of" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a very slight touch of"?

While not strictly incorrect, "a very slight touch of" can be redundant. "Slight" already implies a small amount, so adding "very" doesn't significantly alter the meaning and might make the phrasing less concise. Consider using just "a slight touch of" for better clarity.

How does "a slight touch of" differ from "a strong touch of"?

"A slight touch of" indicates a minimal amount or influence, while "a strong touch of" suggests a significant or prominent presence. The difference lies in the degree of impact or intensity.