a slightly suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that raises a small amount of doubt or concern. Example: "Her behavior was a slightly suspicious, making me wonder if she was hiding something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I shoot Noel a slightly suspicious glance and then I wander into his bedroom.

The Guardian

He gave me and my wife a slightly suspicious look and asked why we had to do something special.

The New York Times - Magazine

Swaddled in a striped, luxuriantly wrinkly robe, Mary sits on her rumpled bed with folded hands and looks sideways at the apparition with a slightly suspicious expression.

The New York Times - Arts

In Dakar, a woman named Aïcha, in a partial leopard-print head scarf and dress, lies on a stained mattress before a scraped wardrobe topped with laundry, and regards the viewer with a slightly suspicious pride.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Josh is on Twitter.

Vice

Polls suggested that he stirred an ambiguous and slightly suspicious response from much of the public, an impression Mr. McCain has sought to encourage.

The New York Times

Like a woman who wears too much makeup, Benoit has an air of slightly suspicious glamour.

The New York Times - Food

If the subject for an e-mail from a friend appears even slightly suspicious, check with the friend directly before opening it.

Huffington Post

There is not a single negative tweet, which makes me slightly suspicious, particularly as a colleague and I have just tried the salt and vinegar flavour and agree that these are not the descriptions we would use.

The Guardian - Money

So what they see is the possible beginning of a terrorist conspiracy -- one slightly suspicious character has just crossed paths with another slightly suspicious character, and that makes them seriously suspicious.

The New York Times - Magazine

I must have looked slightly suspicious as a bloke approached me asking if I was selling anything.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or person, use "a slightly suspicious" to introduce an element of doubt without sounding overly accusatory or judgmental. It's useful for indicating a preliminary concern.

Common error

While "a slightly suspicious" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can weaken your argument. Instead, consider providing specific details that justify your suspicion for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly suspicious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a mild degree of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI validates this usage by presenting examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly suspicious" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to express a mild degree of doubt or wariness. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, it's most frequently encountered in news and media. Its primary function is to introduce a cautious assessment, signaling a need for further scrutiny without making a definitive judgment. The phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for diverse registers, though it's advisable to use more specific language in highly formal contexts to strengthen the argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat suspect

This alternative replaces 'suspicious' with 'suspect' and 'slightly' with 'somewhat' implying a marginal increase in doubt.

a bit dubious

This phrase uses 'dubious' to convey a sense of uncertainty or questionability, similar to 'suspicious' but with a slightly more formal tone and 'a bit' which is colloquial of 'slightly'.

mildly questionable

Replaces “suspicious” with “questionable” suggesting something that causes uncertainty or doubt, but in a mild form.

rather untrustworthy

This alternative uses 'untrustworthy' to describe a lack of reliability, implying a stronger degree of doubt than "suspicious".

a touch fishy

This phrase is informal and idiomatic, suggesting something is not quite right or potentially deceptive; substitutes "suspicious" with the colloquial "fishy".

somewhat shady

This option replaces “suspicious” with “shady” implying secrecy or dishonesty, it also replaces “slightly” with “somewhat” which carries similar degree.

a trifle suspect

This substitute “slightly” with “a trifle”, both modifiers carrying the same intensity degree.

a shade doubtful

This substitute “suspicious” with “doubtful” and “slightly” with “a shade”, these changes carries the same meaning with similar intensity degree.

vaguely mistrustful

This alternative replaces 'suspicious' with 'mistrustful' and 'slightly' with 'vaguely' conveying a subtle sense of distrust or unease.

a tinge of skepticism

This alternative describes an emotion instead of an attribute, but in a similar way.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly suspicious" to describe anything that evokes a mild sense of distrust or doubt. For example, "The data anomaly seemed "a slightly suspicious", warranting further investigation."

What's the difference between "a slightly suspicious" and "very suspicious"?

"A slightly suspicious" implies a minor degree of doubt or wariness, while "very suspicious" indicates a strong belief that something is wrong or dishonest. The former suggests further investigation might be needed, whereas the latter indicates a stronger cause for concern.

What are some alternatives to using "a slightly suspicious"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat dubious", "mildly questionable", or "a bit dubious" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a slightly suspicious" in formal writing?

Yes, "a slightly suspicious" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to express a mild level of doubt or uncertainty. However, ensure that your tone remains objective and professional.