a slightly narrower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly narrower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the width of two objects or concepts, indicating that one is somewhat less wide than the other. Example: "The new design features a slightly narrower frame, which enhances its overall aesthetic appeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

A YouGov poll in the Times reported a slightly narrower gap, with a no vote at 52% and yes support at 32%.

The Guardian

A slightly narrower definition of the "handmade" is in evidence on the fourth floor, where works by artists and university-affiliated craft practitioners outnumber factory-made objects.

The New York Times - Arts

[C6.] Founders of Razorfish Step Down The founders of Razorfish, Jeffrey A. Dachis and Craig Kanarick, stepped down as the company, which specializes in Web design and consulting, reported a slightly narrower first-quarter loss than expected.

The New York Times

In July, General Motors will start selling its Hummer H2, a slightly narrower and more mass-market friendly version of the Hummer H1, G.M.'s take on the Humvee military transport.

The New York Times

The founders of Razorfish, the Web design and consulting company, stepped down from their senior management positions yesterday as the company reported a slightly narrower first-quarter loss than Wall Street had expected.

The New York Times

They are accompanied in the exhibition by a second, smaller painting of "The Ridotto" from a private collection, similar to the larger work, but with a slightly narrower focus.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The field, a slightly narrow and short 110-by-70 yards, ran from the first-base dugout to the left-field wall in a stadium built to baseball's configurations, with most of the stands 20-30 yards from the field.

Independent

"When other people find out that I'm on opioids," Maas explains, "depending on how close they are and how well they know me, I might get an 'it sucks that your pain is so bad' to a slightly narrowed side eye".

The Guardian

PTBFTPD had a slightly narrow bandgap of 1.83 eV while that of 1.85 eV for PBDTTPD.

Dyes and Pigments

"Advocating that we have to stick with what we know, I think is a slightly narrow-minded way of looking at things when as an industry we are facing declining audiences.

BBC

Here in Florida, we plan to do the same, but with a slightly narrowed focus.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, consider pairing "a slightly narrower" with a specific measurement or numerical value to illustrate the degree of difference.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly narrower" without clearly defining the baseline for comparison. Ensure the context makes it obvious what is being narrowed; otherwise, the phrase lacks clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly narrower" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase. It describes a noun by indicating a small reduction in width or scope. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly narrower" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a small difference in width or scope. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a modifier, providing a comparative description. It's prevalent in both news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared to maintain clarity and precision. Alternatives such as ""a marginally narrower"" or ""a little narrower"" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginally narrower

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally" to indicate a similarly small difference.

a somewhat narrower

Substitutes "slightly" with "somewhat", maintaining a similar level of difference.

a little narrower

Uses "a little" instead of "slightly" to express a small degree of difference.

a fractionally narrower

Replaces "slightly" with "fractionally" to convey a minimal difference.

a shade narrower

Uses "a shade" instead of "slightly" to imply a subtle difference.

a hair narrower

Employs "a hair" to indicate a very small degree of narrowness.

a slimmer

Uses a single word adjective to indicate something is narrower.

a more confined

Uses a different adjective, confined, to imply a narrowing.

a more limited

Replaces "narrower" with "limited" to describe scope or range.

a less broad

Uses the opposite of narrower to define it.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly narrower" to compare the dimensions or scope of two things, indicating one is marginally less wide or extensive than the other. For example, "The updated model has "a slightly narrower" focus than its predecessor".

What's the difference between "a slightly narrower" and "a much narrower"?

"A slightly narrower" indicates a small difference in width or scope, whereas "a much narrower" implies a significant or substantial difference. The choice depends on the degree of contrast you want to emphasize.

What can I say instead of "a slightly narrower"?

You can use alternatives like "a marginally narrower", "a somewhat narrower", or "a little narrower" depending on the context and the level of formality.

Is it always necessary to specify what is being compared when using "a slightly narrower"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what is being compared provides crucial context and clarity. Without it, the statement can be vague and open to misinterpretation. Ensure the comparison is evident either directly or through the surrounding context.