a slightly hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly hard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a minor degree of hardness or difficulty. Example: "The surface of the cake was a slightly hard crust, but the inside was soft and moist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Did nobody ever ask him a slightly hard question before?

The New York Times

They are more expensive than bias-ply tires and have a slightly hard riding quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former, with its spices and dry fruit, is reminiscent of a slightly hard Christmas cake.

The New York Times - Travel

I react and say with a slightly hard voice, "Was that a good one?" Noah says, "Let's try another".

The New York Times - Magazine

In the Debussy a slightly hard edge that had registered in the German works melted into a more graceful sound.

The New York Times - Arts

I react and say with a slightly hard voice, "Was that a good one?" Noah says, "Let's try another". I close my eyes and try to focus on the next one.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ms. Gubanova has an ample, dark voice with a slightly hard-edged quality that takes some adjusting to.

The New York Times - Arts

The Sunday afternoon performance had a slightly harder, more conclusive edge than Saturday evening's.

The New York Times

The Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach takes a slightly harder line on such matters.

The New York Times - Travel

The look is still polished, put together, but with a slightly harder, masculine edge.

The New York Times - Style

What's different is that there is a slightly harder, almost punk attitude — with a hint of Art Deco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing textures or consistencies, consider "a slightly hard" to convey a minor degree of firmness without being overly negative. For example, "The bread had "a slightly hard" crust, which added to its rustic charm."

Common error

Avoid overusing "slightly" as a universal modifier, as it can weaken your writing. Opt for more precise adjectives that convey the intended nuance directly. Instead of "a slightly hard" try "somewhat firm" or "moderately rigid" for increased clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly hard" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a mild degree of hardness. This is evident in Ludwig examples such as "a slightly hard crust" or "a slightly hard mass".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly hard" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something possessing a mild degree of firmness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives to enhance clarity. Examples from Ludwig showcase its application in describing textures, consistencies, and even abstract concepts like voices or attitudes. Remember to be mindful of the comparative form, "a slightly harder", which implies a comparison rather than an inherent quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat firm

Replaces "hard" with "firm" and "slightly" with "somewhat", altering the specific descriptor while keeping the overall degree of intensity similar.

a bit tough

Substitutes "hard" with "tough" and "slightly" with "a bit", providing a more colloquial tone while maintaining the idea of mild difficulty.

marginally difficult

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal expression, emphasizing the degree of difficulty.

a touch rigid

Uses "rigid" instead of "hard" to denote stiffness, keeping the modifier "a touch" to indicate a small degree.

a shade challenging

Replaces "hard" with "challenging", focusing on the aspect of difficulty, and uses "a shade" for a slight degree.

moderately firm

Replaces "slightly" with "moderately", indicating a somewhat higher degree of firmness.

somewhat unyielding

Uses "unyielding" instead of "hard", emphasizing resistance, with "somewhat" indicating a moderate level.

a trifle firm

Substitutes "slightly" with "a trifle", offering a more refined expression while keeping the core meaning.

barely stiff

Emphasizes a minimal degree of stiffness using "barely" as a modifier instead of "slightly".

a tad firm

A more informal substitution, using "a tad" to replace "slightly", retaining the sense of a small degree of firmness.

FAQs

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

Use "a slightly hard" to describe something that possesses a mild degree of firmness or resistance. For example, "The unripe fruit had "a slightly hard" texture."

What are some alternatives to using "a slightly hard"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat firm", "a bit tough", or "marginally difficult" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a slightly hard"?

It's suitable when you want to convey that something has a degree of hardness that is noticeable but not extreme. For example, describing the consistency of cooked vegetables or the texture of a material.

What's the difference between "a slightly hard" and "a slightly harder"?

"A slightly hard" describes the inherent quality of something, whereas "a slightly harder" implies a comparative degree. For instance, "This apple is "a slightly hard", but that one is a slightly harder."