a slight variance

USAGE SUMMARY

'a slight variance' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate a minor difference or change in something. For example, "We saw a slight variance in the temperature readings over the course of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In any highly utilized system, a slight variance in workload can easily move a system from highly utilized and stable to over-utilized and unstable.

Journal of Cloud Computing

A comparison of the HCDP results, at the pipeline operating pressure, shows a slight variance between the new method and the traditional C6+ split ratios (Daniels 47/35/17, GPA 50/25/25 and the GPA 60/30/10).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Even worse--and here, there is a slight variance from Dr. Frank's analysis--was Trump's dishonesty.

Huffington Post

A slight variance in GPS coordinates can, for example, lead a driverless tractor into a powerline pole.

Huffington Post

Repeated gestures towards the same object led to a slight variance in endpoint position around the target location [23].

Plosone

The QoL perception of the study population showed a slight variance within the age group.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If a different model is assumed – even a slight variant that merely assumes unequal variances – then a different measure of discriminability would apply, such as d a (see Macmillan & Creelman, 2005).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

We propose here to link the striking and fairly sudden increase in variance of all the fur-count records to a slight variation of environmental conditions.

BMC Ecology

The slight variance of Poisson's ratio could lead to a significant change of physical responses of LRAMs.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

for a single T1 measurement, may cause thermally induced problems such as slight variance or degradation of B p due to the heated coil.

BioMed Research International

The slight variance makes some sense: baseball's playoffs have the fewest spots, while the N.H.L. and N.B.A. let in just about any team that can field a full roster.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight variance", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared and the nature of the variance. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight variance" to describe major or impactful differences. The phrase is intended to denote minor deviations; exaggerating its use can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight variance" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a small difference or deviation. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing the extent of the variation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight variance" is a phrase used to describe a minor difference or deviation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and usable, its frequency is uncommon. The phrase finds its primary use in scientific and news contexts. When writing, it's crucial to use it accurately to avoid exaggerating minor differences, thus maintaining the integrity of your message. By exploring alternatives like "a minor deviation" and understanding the contexts in which "a slight variance" is most appropriate, writers can enhance the clarity and precision of their language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor deviation

Focuses on the act of diverging slightly from a standard or norm.

a small discrepancy

Emphasizes a difference that is not significant or impactful.

a marginal difference

Highlights that the difference is at the edge or border of being noticeable.

a negligible variation

Indicates that the change is so small it's practically unimportant.

a subtle alteration

Stresses that the change is delicate or understated.

a fractional modification

Highlights that the change is a tiny part of the whole.

a minimal divergence

Focuses on the slight act of branching off in a different direction.

a narrow gap

Suggests a small space or difference between two things.

a faint distinction

Emphasizes that the difference is hard to perceive.

a hint of difference

Highlights a slight suggestion or trace of variation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight variance" to describe minor differences or deviations in data, opinions, or measurements. For example, "There was "a slight variance" in the test results between the two groups".

What are some alternatives to "a slight variance"?

Some alternatives include "a minor deviation", "a small discrepancy", or "a marginal difference". Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

Is it better to say "a slight variance" or "a slight variation"?

Both "a slight variance" and "a slight variation" are correct and often interchangeable. "Variance" emphasizes a statistical or measurable difference, while "variation" is a more general term for any difference or change.

What does "a slight variance" imply about the data?

Using "a slight variance" implies that while there are differences, they are not substantial enough to significantly alter the overall interpretation or conclusion.