a slightly smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing sizes, indicating that one object is marginally less in size than another. Example: "The new model is a slightly smaller version of the previous one, making it easier to handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Imports fell a slightly smaller $2.2 billion.

The New York Times

A slightly smaller scrum gathered around Mr. Jobs.

The New York Times

People of mixed ethnicity constitute a slightly smaller third group.

Britannica

Are you just a slightly smaller version of Donald Trump?

The New Yorker

It had a slightly smaller height of 1.5m.

The Guardian

A slightly smaller proportion reported tightening lending to small companies.

The New York Times

Other pollsters give Mr Obama a slightly smaller lead.

The Economist

Or you could eat a slightly smaller portion.

The New York Times

The "standard cabin" has a slightly smaller bed.

The Economist

"You would look at them and say that was a slightly smaller version of that, which is a slightly smaller version of that, which is a slightly smaller version of that," he said.

The New York Times

Today, Mr. Franks dismissed the poll, noting that his own survey showed a slightly smaller margin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple items, maintain consistent language. If you start with "a slightly smaller", stick to similar comparative phrases for the rest of your comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly smaller" when the difference is actually significant. This can mislead the reader. Use a more appropriate term like "considerably smaller" or "much smaller" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly smaller" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun has a size that is marginally less than another, serving to provide a relative measure of size. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

27%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly smaller" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase for making nuanced size comparisons. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and broad applicability. It’s commonly found in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discussions, maintaining a generally neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure you're accurately representing the magnitude of the size difference and consider using alternatives like "a bit smaller" or "somewhat smaller" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginally smaller

Emphasizes an even smaller difference in size.

a somewhat smaller

Indicates a slight reduction in size, similar to the original phrase.

a moderately smaller

Suggests a more noticeable, but still not drastic, difference in size.

a bit smaller

Informal way of saying something is slightly smaller.

a noticeably smaller

Highlights that the size difference is easily observed.

slightly reduced in size

Rephrases the concept using different wording.

a considerably smaller

Implies a significant reduction in size.

just a tad smaller

Uses an informal and diminutive expression.

a significantly smaller

Emphasizes a large and important difference in size.

minutely smaller

Suggests an extremely tiny reduction in size.

FAQs

How to use "a slightly smaller" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly smaller" to compare two objects, indicating that one is marginally less in size than the other. For example, "This model is "a slightly smaller" version of the original".

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

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

Which is correct, "a slightly smaller" or "slightly smaller"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a slightly smaller" is typically used when comparing a specific item to another, while "slightly smaller" is used to describe a general characteristic. For instance, "This car is "a slightly smaller" model" versus "These jeans are slightly smaller than those".

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

"A slightly smaller" indicates a minor difference in size, while "a significantly smaller" suggests a much larger and more noticeable difference. The choice depends on the degree of size difference you want to convey.