a slight variation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight variation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor change or difference in something, such as a design, concept, or idea. Example: "The new logo is a slight variation of the original design, featuring a different color scheme."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a slight variation of the theme".

The New York Times

"Maybe an undertone of a slight variation of same old, same old.

The New Yorker

He displayed five handwritten passwords, each a slight variation of "Jane123" — and all of them easily cracked.

The New York Times

Several foreign companies have found themselves competing against Chinese firms using a slight variation of the foreign technology.

The New York Times

My Gribiche sauce is a slight variation of the classic French version made with oil, vinegar, cooked egg yolks, gherkins and herbs.

The New York Times

With each year's harvest, then, you could say that she has grown a slight variation of a West Indian plant.

The New York Times

There's also a slight variation of this, which is the "look at this awful person being taken down" videos.

Independent

Turns out, the first line is a slight variation of the actual spoken words, and the second sentence was not part of the historical transcript.

The New York Times

The abnormal networks, which have a pseudo-pinch point, feature that a slight variation of the regenerated concentration will cause change of the regeneration pinch point.

Chemical Engineering Science

Simulation results show that a slight variation of chemical potential of the graphene nano-sheet can achieve significant resonance wavelength shifts.

Optics Communications

Therefore, we design a slight variation of the weak-factor operator, called clean-factor, and prove that its associated series terminates for all input graphs.

Discrete Applied Mathematics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight variation of", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original version is, so the reader understands the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight variation of" when the difference is actually substantial. This phrase is best suited for minor, almost imperceptible changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight variation of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It specifies the degree to which something differs from a standard or original form. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is frequently used across diverse sources and it is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight variation of" is a commonly used phrase to denote a minor modification or difference. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the variation being described is indeed slight and that the context clearly identifies the original version. While alternatives like "minor modification" or "subtle alteration" exist, "a slight variation of" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor modification of

Replaces 'slight variation' with 'minor modification', emphasizing the small nature of the change.

a subtle alteration of

Substitutes 'slight variation' with 'subtle alteration', highlighting the understated nature of the change.

a small adjustment to

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on adjustment, indicating a correction or refinement.

a marginal difference in

Shifts the focus to the difference itself being marginal, rather than the variation.

a modified version of

Highlights the end result as a modified version of something, rather than the act of varying.

an incremental change to

Emphasizes that the change is incremental, suggesting a gradual progression.

a nuanced version of

Focuses on the subtle nuances introduced by the change.

a refined iteration of

Implies a more polished and improved version resulting from the variation.

a reworked form of

Suggests a more significant level of alteration, implying a complete reworking.

a tweaked version of

Uses the informal term "tweaked", suggesting a very minor adjustment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight variation of" to indicate a minor modification or difference from an original concept, design, or method. For example, "The new model is "a slight variation of" the previous one, with improved battery life."

What are some alternatives to "a slight variation of"?

Alternatives include "a minor modification of", "a subtle alteration of", or "a small adjustment to", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a slight variation of" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to accurately describe a small change or difference without exaggerating its impact. It is commonly found in academic and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a slight variation of" and "a significant variation of"?

"A slight variation of" indicates a minor, almost imperceptible change, while "a significant variation of" suggests a substantial and noticeable difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you are describing.