a slightly coarse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly coarse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a rough texture or quality, often in a metaphorical sense, such as a person's manner or speech. Example: "The fabric felt a bit rough against my skin, giving it a slightly coarse texture that I wasn't expecting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Measure out 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal and use a coffee grinder or blender to grind it into a slightly coarse powder.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Warm the carafe with hot water and discard before adding the ground coffee – I recommend 75g per litre because it's a slightly coarser grind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Smoothing the pattern of speed by taking into account the previous and subsequent 3 points in the record (using a moving average) permits to look at speed at a slightly coarser scale and shows further improvement of the fit, yielding a quasi one to one relationship (Fig. 4).

Plosone

This can be illustrated with a simple example, taking as the basis the presented life table of strain N2 (Table 2), with the only modification being a slightly coarser temporal resolution at the very beginning of the reproductive period.

BMC Ecology

Mineralogical analysis results revealed that the laterite from the Philippines contained predominantly fine iron oxide/oxyhydroxide, as well as a small amount of slightly coarse chromite and gangue mineral aggregates.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

The morphology of the SiO2-Qdots as shown in the TEM image (Fig. 7c) displays a quasi-spherical shape and slightly coarse particle size distribution.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The show also established distinct characters: Ant was the harsh one, slightly coarse, looked like a male Victoria Beckham; Dec was sweeter, more vulnerable, less likely to thump you.

The Guardian

The use of viscosity-modifying admixture on SCC as a replacement for limestone filler does not affect the total volume of pores, but generates a slightly more coarse porous microstructure, thereby leading to concretes in which water penetration depth under pressure is a little higher (around 4 mm).

Construction and Building Materials

In principle, this could be implemented by calculating the joint probability of (WCR, NHB) either on a week-by-week basis, or on a slightly more coarse temporal scale of the time-windows of high/low ILI activities in the seasonal data.

BMC Public Health

The extra long slightly coarse fur of Fox makes for a decadent massage.

WikiHow

Even allowing for the fact I haven't had a warm sausage roll since last January, they're delicious: flaky, slightly coarse, and pleasingly porky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing textures, consider the context. Using "a slightly coarse" works well when contrasting with smoother or finer alternatives, providing a relative comparison.

Common error

While "a slightly coarse" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal or academic writing can sound informal. Opt for more precise and technical terms when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly coarse" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by specifying a quality of texture or appearance, indicating a mild degree of roughness. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to describe textures of materials, food, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly coarse" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate a mild degree of roughness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and it appears with some frequency across various contexts. Its primary function is to provide a nuanced description, and its register is generally neutral, rendering it suitable for a wide range of writing styles, from news and encyclopedias to scientific and informal contexts. When aiming for alternatives, consider options like "somewhat rough" or "a little rough" for subtle variations in meaning. However, in more formal writing, consider more specific and technical language for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat rough

Implies a similar degree of roughness, but with a slightly different tone. "Somewhat" is a more general qualifier than "slightly".

a little rough

Suggests a minimal level of coarseness or unevenness. "Little" implies a smaller degree than "slightly".

slightly rough

Omitting 'a' maintains the essential meaning while simplifying the phrasing.

a bit rough

"Bit" suggests a casual tone, indicating a small degree of coarseness.

marginally coarse

"Marginally" implies a minimal degree of coarseness, perhaps barely noticeable.

a subtly coarse

"Subtly" suggests an understated coarseness, not immediately apparent.

mildly coarse

"Mildly" suggests a gentle or restrained degree of coarseness.

somewhat uneven

Shifts the focus from texture to uniformity, but still conveys a sense of imperfection.

a touch coarse

"Touch" implies a delicate or minimal level of coarseness.

a shade coarse

"Shade" suggests a small degree of difference or variation from a smooth state.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly coarse" to describe a texture, appearance, or even a metaphorical quality. For example, "The fabric had "a slightly coarse" texture", or "His humor had "a slightly coarse" edge".

What's the difference between "a slightly coarse" and "a very coarse"?

"A slightly coarse" implies a mild degree of roughness, while "a very coarse" suggests a much stronger and more pronounced roughness. The difference lies in the intensity of the texture.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a slightly coarse"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "somewhat rough", "a little rough", or "slightly uneven".

Is it appropriate to use "a slightly coarse" in academic writing?

It depends on the field and the specific context. While generally understandable, academic writing often favors more precise and technical language. Consider alternatives if greater specificity is needed.