a slightly big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly big" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used when describing something that is somewhat large, but the combination of "slightly" and "big" is awkward. Example: "The box was a slightly big for the shelf, making it difficult to fit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then there's a "teen setting" which, in a slightly Big Brother way, allows parents to keep track of young drivers by limiting their speed and their distance from home – and even by alerting mum and dad when their movement becomes erratic.

The Guardian - Business

The best way to sew it is by folding the cloth, which is why you need a slightly big piece of cloth.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A year later, in 1956, a slightly bigger Taglioni bike captured Ducati's first Grand Prix in a race in Sweden.

The New York Times

The second is a slightly bigger drawback.

The New York Times - Tech

That was a slightly bigger drop than expected.

The New York Times

But I find it hard to resist reaching for a slightly bigger point.

The New York Times

Food will play a slightly bigger role, and the look will be Art Deco.

The New York Times - Food

In Houston, the Rather family had a slightly bigger house, and went to a Baptist church.

The New Yorker

"It's just the usual Chelsea madness, albeit on a slightly bigger scale".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He and his wife and son moved to a slightly bigger cottage, just outside the village.

The New Yorker

Take what's in this box or we put you in a slightly bigger one".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a slightly big" in formal writing. Opt for more standard alternatives such as "a bit large" or "somewhat large" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Be careful not to use "slightly" with words that already imply a large size. For example, avoid saying "slightly huge"; instead, use "moderately large" or "considerably sized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly big" functions as an adjectival phrase attempting to modify a noun, describing its size. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the combination of "slightly" and "big" is awkward and not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a slightly big" may appear in some informal contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, more appropriate alternatives include "a bit large" or "somewhat large". This is due to the awkward combination of "slightly" with "big". When aiming for clear and grammatically sound writing, particularly in formal settings, it's best to avoid "a slightly big" and opt for these more standard alternatives. The scarcity of examples supports the assessment that the phrase isn't widely accepted in formal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A bit large

Replaces "slightly big" with a more common and natural-sounding alternative.

Somewhat large

Substitutes "slightly big" with a grammatically correct and semantically similar phrase.

A little large

Uses "a little" instead of "slightly" to express a small degree of largeness.

Marginally bigger

Emphasizes the small difference in size using "marginally" and the comparative form "bigger".

A touch too big

Adds a nuance of being excessively large to a small degree.

Slightly oversized

Replaces the two-word adjective with one word that is still comprehensible, "oversized".

A shade too large

Offers a more idiomatic way to express a minor excess in size.

Barely bigger

Suggests the size difference is minimal and almost imperceptible.

A smidge too big

Uses "smidge" to indicate a very small amount, implying a negligible excess in size.

Hardly small

Expresses that something is verging on the size being too big.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "a slightly big"?

The phrase "a slightly big" is grammatically awkward. While understandable, it's not considered standard English. Using phrases like "a bit large" or "somewhat large" is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "a slightly big"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit large", "somewhat large", or "a little large" depending on the context.

Is "a slightly big" ever correct in a sentence?

While it might be used informally, "a slightly big" is generally considered incorrect in formal or professional writing. It's best to use more standard alternatives.

How does "a slightly big" compare to "a slightly bigger"?

"a slightly bigger" is grammatically correct and means something is a little larger than something else. "A slightly big" attempts to describe something's size in isolation, but does so incorrectly.