a slightly faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly faster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the speed of two or more things, indicating a small increase in speed. Example: "The new model is a slightly faster version of the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It moves data at a slightly faster rate.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was thinking of playing a slightly faster grace note.

The New Yorker

I highly recommend this method because you may be able to get a slightly faster response.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The reported growth indicates a slightly faster rate of expansion than reported in December".

The New York Times

That said, wages did still increase — and at a slightly faster pace than expected.

The Washington Post

Valley National's loans credit those payments every 14 days, for a slightly faster payoff.

The New York Times

Commercial-property inflation rose by 15.9% in 2007, a slightly faster increase than in 2006.

The Economist

Sunitinib was loaded efficiently onto the microspheres, with smaller sizes exhibiting a slightly faster loading and release rate.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

"My concern is that's much worse than just having slightly slower growth" from a slightly faster pace of rate increases.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The whole shebang must be delivered at a slightly faster-than-normal clip so the audience is again flattered by the mere fact that it's keeping up.

The New York Times

Mr. Misencik said that if the pilot had accepted a slightly faster-than-normal descent at first, "it would have been an acceptable landing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the performance of two systems or processes, use "a slightly faster" to indicate a modest improvement in speed without exaggerating the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly faster" when the speed difference is significant; instead, use more descriptive terms like "considerably faster" or "significantly faster" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly faster" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a marginal increase in speed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe something that is negligibly quicker than something else. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly faster" is a common and grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a marginal increase in speed. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across various contexts. Its neutral register and high frequency, particularly in news media, science, and academia, make it a versatile choice for expressing subtle differences in speed. When using this phrase, ensure that the indicated difference is indeed slight to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat quicker

Emphasizes a degree of quickness, similar to "a slightly faster", but uses different wording.

marginally more rapid

Indicates a small increase in speed, employing more formal vocabulary.

a tad faster

Uses a more informal expression to denote a minimal increase in speed.

slightly more accelerated

Highlights the acceleration aspect of the speed increase.

a fraction faster

Indicates a very small, almost negligible, increase in speed.

barely faster

Emphasizes that the increase in speed is minimal and potentially unnoticeable.

incrementally faster

Suggests that the speed increases gradually over time or in small steps.

a shade faster

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate a small degree of speed improvement.

a smidge faster

Very informal way to denote a minimal amount of speed increase.

somewhat more swiftly

Replaces "faster" with "swiftly", adding a touch of formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly faster" to compare the speeds of two things, for example: "This new processor has "a slightly faster" clock speed than the previous model."

What are some alternatives to saying "a slightly faster"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "somewhat quicker", "marginally more rapid", or "a tad faster".

Is it better to say "a slightly faster" or "a little faster"?

Both "a slightly faster" and "a little faster" are acceptable. "A slightly faster" is perhaps perceived as more formal, while "a little faster" is more casual. The choice depends on the tone you wish to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a slightly faster"?

It is inappropriate to use "a slightly faster" when the difference in speed is actually significant. In such cases, use phrases like "much faster", "significantly faster", or "considerably faster" to accurately describe the difference.