a slightly larger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly larger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing sizes or dimensions, indicating that one item is somewhat bigger than another. Example: "I would prefer a slightly larger size for the shirt, as the current one feels a bit tight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

His own band has a slightly larger following.

The New York Times

(A slightly larger, second-generation RAV4 is also on display).

The New York Times

Inside a slightly larger circle he wrote "friends".

The New York Times - Magazine

Analysts had expected a slightly larger drop to 565,000.

The New York Times

Kerry lost it by a slightly larger margin.

The New York Times

And tomorrow we will dump a slightly larger amount".

The New Yorker

Years later, he bought her a slightly larger one.

The New York Times - Style

A slightly larger drop takes place in the lamellar phase.

Polymer

Consequently, a slightly larger size print is suggested in larger size advertisements.

Cornell University

Democrats have raised a slightly larger portion of their total take from the area.

The New York Times

Almost like television as group therapy, just with a slightly larger group than normal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly larger" followed by the unit of measurement to provide a more concrete comparison. For example, "a slightly larger 17-inch laptop" offers a more specific image than "a slightly larger laptop".

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly larger" when the difference is actually significant. If the item is noticeably bigger, opt for phrases like "considerably larger" or "much bigger" to accurately reflect the size disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly larger" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It is used to qualify a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a size that is marginally greater than some reference point. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing "a slightly larger" modifying nouns in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly larger" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase for indicating a marginal increase in size. Ludwig's AI confirms its acceptability, backed by a wealth of examples spanning news, science, and general contexts. When writing, it's advisable to use it to provide precise, comparative descriptions, but avoid overstating the size difference. Alternatives like "a marginally bigger" or "a somewhat greater" can be used to add nuance, although the meaning they convey is almost identical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginally bigger

This alternative replaces "larger" with "bigger", which is more informal, and "slightly" with "marginally", indicating a small difference.

a somewhat greater

This alternative replaces "slightly" with "somewhat" and "larger" with "greater", emphasizing the increase in magnitude.

a tad more expansive

This alternative uses "a tad" to indicate a small amount and "expansive" to refer to a larger size or scope.

a little bit bigger

This option uses more conversational terms ("a little bit", "bigger") to express a minimal increase in size.

a shade more substantial

This option uses "a shade" to indicate a small increment and "substantial" to suggest a more noticeable, but still moderate, increase.

a hair larger

This alternative uses the idiom "a hair" to emphasize the minimal increase in size.

imperceptibly bigger

This alternative suggests that the increase in size is so small that it's almost unnoticeable.

barely bigger

This alternative emphasizes that the item is only just bigger than the original, by a very small amount.

minimally larger

This option explicitly states that the size difference is minimal.

negligibly bigger

This alternative suggests that the size difference is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly larger" when you want to describe something that is a little bigger than another thing. For example, "I would like "a slightly larger portion" of the cake".

What's a more informal way to say "a slightly larger"?

Instead of "a slightly larger", you could say "a little bigger" or "a bit bigger" in more casual contexts.

Is it correct to say "a slightly more larger"?

No, the phrase "a slightly more larger" is redundant. "Larger" already implies "more large", so using "more" is unnecessary. The correct phrase is "a slightly larger".

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

"A slightly larger" indicates a small difference in size, while "a significantly larger" indicates a considerable or substantial difference in size. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the difference you want to describe.