a slightly taller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly taller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the height of two or more objects or individuals, indicating a small difference in height. Example: "She is a slightly taller than her brother, making her the tallest in the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A member of a slightly taller group is termed pygmoid.

Britannica

A slightly taller individual was aged around 20.

Independent

Then it became a slightly taller residential tower.

The New York Times

A slightly taller all-in-one version scans and copies as well as prints SCX-45000, $299).

The New York Times - Tech

Yesterday, a slightly taller, tougher Corbin Mayo, now 13, strode across the stage at ground zero to read the names of some of the missing.

The New York Times

His legacy included the construction of the world's largest church, the extraordinary $300m Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix, a slightly taller version of St Peter's at the Vatican.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Who's pushing each of the twin visions is a slightly tall order to unravel - especially bearing in mind that the information we journalists get on these matters is fragmentary and sometimes spun, always covering only a tiny part of the whole, and that governments never reveal their private hand in public.

BBC

Owning a home in Canada could be a slightly tall order.

Huffington Post

Taken together, these studies showed that both men and women adjusted their SDS preferences according to their own body height; however, a few participants chose the option of a woman being slightly taller than a man.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

The 10% larger male brain persists from birth throughout life - even from ages 11 to 13 [ 23] when girls, because of their earlier growth spurt, are on an average slightly taller than boys of the same age [ 24].

Biology of Sex Differences

Bilmes's new-look Esquire features a new font (T-Star), simplified sections, a larger format (it is slightly taller) and a return to a retro, curvier Esquire logo.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly taller", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. For example, specify "a slightly taller building" rather than just "a slightly taller".

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly taller" when the height difference is significant or obvious. This can create a mismatch between the description and the reality, undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly taller" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that one entity has a height that is just a bit more than another. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is used for indicating a small difference in height.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly taller" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small difference in height. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts ranging from news articles to casual conversations. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly establish what is being compared and avoid using it when the height difference is significant. Consider alternatives like "somewhat taller" or "a bit taller" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat taller

Emphasizes the 'slightly' aspect while using a different qualifier.

marginally taller

Uses a more formal term (marginally) to indicate a small difference.

a tad taller

Uses a more informal term (a tad) to indicate a small difference.

a little taller

Replaces 'slightly' with 'a little' for a more casual tone.

barely taller

Highlights the minimal nature of the height difference.

fractionally taller

Replaces 'slightly' with 'fractionally' for more precision.

imperceptibly taller

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing the height difference.

a shade taller

Uses the idiom 'a shade' to describe a small difference.

minutely taller

Conveys a minimal level of height difference using the word 'minutely'.

scarcely taller

Stresses the minimal, almost negligible, height difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly taller" to compare the heights of two objects or people. For example, "The new building is "somewhat taller" than the old one".

What's a good alternative to "a slightly taller"?

Alternatives include "a bit taller", "somewhat taller", or "marginally taller", depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is more precise, "a slightly taller" or "a little taller"?

"A slightly taller" and "a little taller" are both somewhat vague. "A slightly taller" suggests a minimal difference but is not inherently more precise. For greater precision, specify the actual height difference.

In what context can I use "a marginally taller" instead of "a slightly taller"?

You can use "a marginally taller" in more formal contexts such as academic papers or technical reports, whereas "a slightly taller" is acceptable across most registers.