a slightly divergent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly divergent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat different or deviating from a standard or norm. Example: "The study presented a slightly divergent perspective on the issue, challenging the conventional wisdom."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Alder makes much of the fact that Méchain's calculations contained a "secret error" — a slightly divergent latitude reading, which Méchain suspected but covered up.

The New Yorker

The partially preserved foot skeleton (OH 8) showed that H. habilis had fully adapted feet for walking bipedally, unlike preceding australopiths, which still had some primitive traits (like a slightly divergent big toe) despite their regular upright locomotion.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Although most employees would agree the company's namesake — his ethics, personality and beliefs — is deeply ingrained in the business and, therefore, crucial to its success, Allen Lund himself has a slightly divergent belief.

Los Angeles Times

One of those had a slightly divergent SL-sequence with an A at position 15 instead of the usual G.

Plosone

Thus, SGI1 could possibly integrate in other bacterial pathogens that do not possess either the 1st or 2nd SGI1 attB sites but a slightly divergent attB site.

Plosone

Females displayed a slightly divergent pattern.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The B2 branch of the LAVA network is characterized by a shared slightly divergent B-type RU (B5') at the second position.

BMC Genomics

Our analysis of a wide range of species strongly suggests that B clade CRFs, while slightly divergent from A clade members, clearly belong to the CRF group and not any other ERF sub-group.

BMC Plant Biology

By performing simulations in EVOLVER, Castric and Vekemans [ 28] revealed that the power for the maximum likelihood analysis with CODEML is low when sequences were only slightly divergent or when sequence divergence reached saturation, and that it increases at intermediate levels of divergence.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Generally speaking, the predicted water table maps demonstrate the existence of a predominantly directed groundwater flow, slightly divergent from the main source of recharge.

Applied Water Science

In contrast, the differentiation between populations was much less marked for the LM1, only Piana emerging as slightly divergent from an otherwise unstructured variation pooling mainland, Corsican, and Sardinian samples.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly divergent" to introduce nuanced differences or variations, especially in academic or scientific writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly divergent" when the difference is substantial or significant. Choose stronger language to accurately reflect the degree of divergence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly divergent" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating a minor degree of deviation or difference. Ludwig examples show it modifying various nouns, indicating small discrepancies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly divergent" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a minor difference or deviation. As Ludwig highlights, it's commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, suggesting a formal register. The phrase serves to introduce nuanced distinctions, avoiding strong claims of divergence. While not overly common, understanding its usage can add precision to writing. Alternatives include "a somewhat different" or "a marginally varied", offering similar meanings with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat different

Indicates a difference that is not substantial or significant.

a marginally varied

Highlights a slight variation from the norm.

a subtly distinct

Emphasizes a delicate or understated difference.

a minimally deviating

Focuses on the small degree of departure from a standard.

a slightly altered

Indicates a minor modification or change.

a somewhat modified

Highlights a degree of change that is not drastic.

a subtly changed

Emphasizes an understated or delicate change.

a marginally different

Focuses on a small degree of difference.

a minimally varied

Indicates a degree of change that is really small.

a somewhat altered

Highlights a degree of alteration that is not drastic.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly divergent" to describe something that deviates marginally from a standard. For example, "The study presented "a slightly divergent" perspective on the issue".

What phrases are similar to "a slightly divergent"?

Similar phrases include "a somewhat different", "a marginally varied", or "a subtly distinct", all conveying a sense of minor deviation.

Is "a slightly divergent" formal or informal?

"A slightly divergent" is generally considered suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic and scientific contexts. It conveys a precise and nuanced meaning.

When should I not use "a slightly divergent"?

Avoid using "a slightly divergent" if the difference is substantial. In such cases, opt for stronger alternatives like "significantly different" or "markedly distinct".