a slightly lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly lower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, levels, or values that are not significantly different but still indicate a decrease. Example: "The new model has a slightly lower price than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hx also had a slightly lower rate of lignin accumulation.

Cornell University

Hx also has a slightly lower rate of NDF accumulation.

Cornell University

Perhaps, but a slightly lower interest rate is more palatable.

Harvard Business Review

A slightly lower percentage, 42percentt, said illegally.

The Washington Post

That loan has a slightly lower fee of £1,345.

The Guardian - Money

Congressional analysts had a slightly lower estimate: $401 billion.

The New York Times

(The winning consortium offered a slightly lower rate).

The Economist

Then Mr. Feinberg could offer a slightly lower standard.

The New York Times

Three-dimensional transforms execute at a slightly lower rate.

Journal of Computational Physics

This leads to a slightly lower NDF content in Hx on any given date (Fig. 4).

Cornell University

Butter consumption was linked to a slightly lower incidence of Type 2 diabetes.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly lower", ensure the context provides a clear point of comparison. This helps the reader understand what is being reduced or lessened.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly lower" without specifying what the comparison is based on. For example, instead of saying "The price is a slightly lower", specify "The price is a slightly lower than last year's model."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly lower" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has been reduced by a small degree. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used to compare the degree to which the noun has been diminished.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly lower" is a common and versatile adjective phrase used to indicate a small reduction or decrease in something compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. It's important to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that the difference is not significant, but still present. When writing, ensure that you provide a clear point of comparison to avoid vagueness. While there are several alternatives, such as "a marginally reduced" or "a somewhat decreased", the best choice will depend on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be creative with the suggestions offered here, but make sure they are accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginally reduced

Emphasizes a minimal level of reduction.

a somewhat decreased

Suggests a moderate level of reduction.

a trivially smaller

Highlights that the size difference is not important.

a minimally diminished

Focuses on the almost negligible aspect of the reduction.

a nearly imperceptible

Highlights how difficult it is to notice or measure the reduction.

a fractionally lessened

It shows a small, fractional change.

a shade below

Indicates a small degree of inferiority.

a notch lower

Suggests a small discrete step or increment down.

a tad less

Informal way to say that something is a little bit less.

a hint of reduction

Suggests a very small or subtle decrease.

FAQs

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

Use "a slightly lower" to indicate a small degree of reduction or decrease compared to something else. For instance, "This model has "a slightly lower price" than the previous one".

What's a good alternative to using "a slightly lower"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a marginally reduced", "a somewhat decreased", or "a minimally diminished".

Is it more appropriate to say "a slightly lower" or "a much lower"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to emphasize. Use "a slightly lower" for small differences and "a much lower" for significant differences.

Can "a slightly lower" be used to describe abstract concepts, or only physical quantities?

It can be used for both. You can say "a slightly lower risk" (abstract) or "a slightly lower temperature" (physical quantity).