a tad more

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tad more" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is usually used to describe something that is slightly more than what was expected. For example: He was expecting a small reward, but he got a tad more than he thought he would.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(We suspect their exhibit was a tad more revealing than ours).

Forbes

Superb goalkeeping and Mali are looking a tad more lively.

The Guardian - Sport

So for this one deal, the Dodgers got older, though only a tad more expensive.

Los Angeles Times

But spring is a tad more complicated.

Independent

There's a tad more gee-whiz inside.

The New York Times

This is a tad more defensible.

The Washington Post

The words are a tad more world-weary too.

Independent

Adam Hoover's league is a tad more complicated.

The New York Times - Style

Dixons's sales were up 5%, Halfords's a tad more.

The Guardian - Business

The Kubrick camp has behaved a tad more decorously.

The Guardian - Film

Do we see a tad more Gamma in the EEG scans of our happy givers?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a tad more" with adjectives or adverbs to provide context and clarity. For instance, "a tad more cautious" or "a tad more quickly".

Common error

While versatile, "a tad more" might not be suitable for highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "slightly more" or "marginally more" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tad more" functions as a degree modifier, specifically indicating a slight or small increase. It's used to express that something is slightly greater, more intense, or of a higher degree than initially stated or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals something slightly exceeding expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

17%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tad more" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a slight increase or difference, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it offers a neutral to informal tone suitable for various contexts, though perhaps less fitting for strictly formal or technical writing. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "slightly more" or "somewhat more". Remember that while "a tad more" and "a bit more" are often interchangeable, context and intended nuance guide the most effective choice. Overall, it's a valuable tool for adding precision and moderation to your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more

Indicates a small increase; similar in meaning but uses "slightly" instead of "a tad".

a bit more

Synonymous, replacing "tad" with "bit" for a more informal feel.

just a little more

Emphasizes the small quantity or degree of increase.

a shade more

Uses "shade" to imply a minimal difference or increment.

a touch more

Implies a subtle increase, using "touch" to convey delicacy.

somewhat more

A more formal alternative, using "somewhat" to indicate a moderate degree.

marginally more

Suggests an increase that is barely noticeable or significant.

a hair more

An informal expression indicating a very small amount.

ever so slightly more

Emphasizes the subtlety of the increase with a more elaborate expression.

a smidge more

An informal term suggesting a tiny amount of increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a tad more" in a sentence?

You can use "a tad more" to indicate a slight increase or difference. For instance, "Could you add "a bit more salt"?" or "The situation is "slightly more complicated" than it seems."

What's a more formal alternative to "a tad more"?

If you need a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "slightly more", "somewhat more", or "marginally more".

Is "a tad more" appropriate for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "a tad more" might be perceived as too informal for strict academic writing. It's often better to use more precise and formal alternatives, such as "slightly more" or "somewhat more", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a tad more" and "a bit more"?

The phrases "a tad more" and "a bit more" are very similar and often interchangeable. "A tad" might suggest a slightly smaller increment than "a bit", but the difference is usually negligible. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and the desired tone.