a slightly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two things and indicating that one is marginally superior to the other. Example: "After reviewing the options, I believe this design is a slightly better choice for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a slightly better economic outlook".

The New York Times

Manufacturers reported a slightly better outlook.

The New York Times

The world [became] a slightly better place".

Independent

They want to make their country a slightly better place.

The Guardian - Opinion

But some manufacturers reported a slightly better outlook.

The New York Times

He says he is in a slightly better state now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Somalia had a slightly better record than India.

Independent

It's a slightly better value for the moment".

The New York Times

We also obtain a slightly better bound for the (noncapacitated) transportation problem.

Princeton University

This year we get a slightly better Macbook Pro, a slightly better iLife suite and DRM-free iTunes, all announced by Philip Schiller.

The Guardian - Tech

Calibration curves indicated a slightly better fit for the neural network model.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly better", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared and why the difference, however small, is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly better" when the improvement is significant. Choose stronger adjectives to reflect the true extent of the enhancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly better" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a marginal improvement or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly better" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a marginal improvement or preference. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and academic writing. While the phrase is suitable for formal and informal settings, it is crucial to ensure that the context accurately reflects the small degree of improvement being described. Alternatives like "somewhat superior" or "marginally improved" can be used to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginally improved

Focuses on the improvement aspect, suggesting the difference is minimal.

a somewhat superior

Highlights the aspect of superiority, implying a limited degree of advantage.

a minimally enhanced

Emphasizes the small extent of the enhancement.

a tad better

An informal way to express a minor degree of improvement.

a shade better

Uses a metaphor to indicate a very small difference in quality.

a touch better

Similar to 'a shade better', indicating a delicate or subtle improvement.

a degree better

Indicates the level of improvement with 'degree', highlighting precision.

a cut above

Implies that something is slightly better in quality.

a step up

Suggests a progression to something better, often in terms of quality or status.

a notch above

Similar to 'a step up', indicating a move to a slightly improved level.

FAQs

How can I use "a slightly better" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly better" to compare two options, indicating a marginal preference for one over the other. For instance, "This model offers "a slightly better" performance than the previous version."

What are some alternatives to "a slightly better"?

Alternatives include "somewhat superior", "marginally improved", or "a tad better". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a slightly better" in formal writing?

Yes, "a slightly better" is appropriate for formal writing. While it indicates a small difference, it does so clearly and professionally. However, consider "somewhat superior" as an alternative in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a slightly better" and "much better"?

"A slightly better" indicates a small degree of improvement, whereas "much better" implies a substantial difference. Use "a slightly better" when the improvement is marginal and "much better" when the improvement is significant.