a slightly higher

USAGE SUMMARY

'a slightly higher' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is a bit bigger or more than its counterpart. Example sentence: His grade on the midterm was a slightly higher than his grade on the final.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's a slightly higher class of reality show.

The Guardian

It's great cardiovascular at a slightly higher tempo.

The Guardian - Sport

Cultivated Baker's yeast had a slightly higher productivity than TMB3000.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology

In addition a slightly higher growth rate is achieved.

Journal of Crystal Growth

Hollows have a slightly higher probability for landslides than noses.

Engineering Geology

Men in general had a slightly higher trust score than women.

University of California, Berkeley

To accommodate "walk-ins," set a slightly higher fee for registration at the conference.

Harvard University

You may be at a slightly higher rate of having complications.

The Guardian

"You might think we should put protection of critical infrastructure at a slightly higher level.

The Guardian - Tech

This means a slightly higher figure of 7% of companies were successful.

The Guardian - Tech

The only downside is that usually they'll charge a slightly higher interest rate".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly higher", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Provide specific values or reference points to make the comparison more precise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly higher" when the difference is actually substantial. This can mislead your audience and weaken the credibility of your statement. Choose a more accurate descriptor, such as "considerably higher" or "significantly greater", if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly higher" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is a bit more than something else. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically sound expression. Examples show its usage in describing values, rates, or positions that are marginally greater.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly higher" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate a marginal increase or difference between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English and suitable for various contexts. However, it's crucial to use it accurately and avoid overstating the difference. Always ensure that the context makes clear what is being compared and consider using more precise descriptors if the difference is substantial. By understanding its function and limitations, you can use "a slightly higher" to enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally elevated

Emphasizes a small increase, similar to "a slightly higher", but with a more formal tone.

somewhat greater

Indicates a degree of difference, highlighting the increased quantity or extent.

modestly increased

Highlights the increase or growth, but emphasizes that it is not a substantial change.

a tad steeper

Implies a small increase of incline or gradient.

fractionally taller

Focuses on a minute increase in height when used for vertical measurement.

barely exceeding

Indicates a minimal amount of increase over a certain limit or value.

a trace above

Suggests a very small degree of difference, with emphasis on something being nearly level.

a shade better

Implies an improvement, similar to "a slightly higher", in quality or condition.

inches ahead

Indicates a small lead, usually when referring to a competition or comparison.

up a notch

Suggests an incremental progression or rise in quality or state.

FAQs

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

Use "a slightly higher" to compare two quantities where one is marginally greater than the other. For example, "The new model offers "a slightly higher resolution" than its predecessor."

What's a more formal alternative to "a slightly higher"?

In formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "marginally elevated" or "somewhat greater" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "a slightly high" instead of "a slightly higher"?

While "high" can sometimes imply a higher position or level, "higher" is the correct comparative form to use when comparing two distinct values or quantities. "A slightly high" would only be appropriate in specific contexts where "high" functions as a non-comparative adjective.

What's the difference between "a slightly higher" and "a significantly higher"?

"A slightly higher" implies a small, almost negligible difference, while "a significantly higher" indicates a substantial and noticeable difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you wish to convey. If something is only negligibly more, then you may want to use a word such as "marginally".