accept slight deviation

USAGE SUMMARY

"accept slight deviation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where minor variations from a standard or expectation are permissible. Example: "We can accept slight deviation in the measurements as long as they remain within the acceptable range." Alternative expressions include "allow minor variation" and "permit small discrepancies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, the 10b and 12a have a slight deviation from D5d and D3d symmetry.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It's a pleasant, if slight, deviation from whatever metal-on-metal sound packs have been circulating the Abletons of the '89+ crowd.

Vice

One path is only a slight deviation, while the other is almost a U-turn.

The New York Times

Her approach exposed every slight deviation of pitch.

The New York Times - Arts

And free-kicks seldom offer more invention, with Gareth Bale's wobbly wonders the only slight deviation from the expected.

The Guardian - Sport

The ball had taken a slight deviation off Albiol's back on the way through, and perhaps, without it, Pepe Reina might have made the save.

The Guardian - Sport

But, Delattre explained, "There would be no freedom, and for Epicurus we are free, so he wanted to introduce the possibility of this slight deviation".

The New Yorker

The data demonstrated a slight deviation from the nationally calibrated models.

Transportation Geotechnics

Hedonic scale data showed slight deviation from normality and lack of homoscedasticity.

Food Quality and Preference

Waters, E. A. MRI-determined left ventricular " crescent effect": a consequence of the slight deviation of contents of the pericardial sack from the constant-volume state.

Nature

At this time petitioner was not represented by counsel and there was a slight deviation from a strictly accurate compliance with the court's directive.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the adjective "slight" to emphasize that the permitted variance is minimal and does not compromise the overall integrity of the data.

Common error

Avoid using "accept slight deviation" as a justification for sloppy work. In a professional or scientific context, this phrase implies a calculated decision based on established tolerances rather than a failure to adhere to standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept slight deviation" functions as a transitive verb phrase. In this construction, "accept" is the head verb that dictates the action, while the noun phrase "slight deviation" serves as the direct object. Based on analysis from Ludwig, the phrase is frequently used to denote professional or scientific tolerance for non-perfect results.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

55%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Informal Speech

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "accept slight deviation" is a grammatically correct and professionally useful expression. It is most prevalent in scientific and academic writing, where it serves as a crucial tool for describing tolerances and permissible variances in experimental data or theoretical models. While search results show that the specific 3-word sequence is less common than its plural counterpart or related phrases like "showed slight deviation", the expression is highly effective for setting expectations of precision. Writers should use it to signal a deliberate and calculated flexibility, ensuring that the "slight" nature of the deviation is emphasized to maintain the credibility of their standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow minor variation

Uses a more permissive verb often found in technical specifications

permit small discrepancies

Focuses on numerical or factual mismatches in a formal tone

tolerate slight differences

Suggests enduring a variation rather than active approval

admit a narrow margin of error

Specifically refers to statistical or measurement tolerances

accommodate marginal shifts

Implies adjusting a system to handle small changes

concede minor fluctuations

Often used when discussing data that changes over time

overlook negligible inconsistencies

Suggests intentionally ignoring very small errors

grant small exceptions

Shifts the focus from data to rules or protocols

approve slight alterations

Implies a more active role in sanctioning change

sanction minor departures

Highly formal way to permit a change from the standard path

FAQs

How do I use "accept slight deviation" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe flexibility in standards, for example: "In experimental physics, we must often "allow minor variation" and "accept slight deviation" from theoretical models due to environmental factors".

What is a more formal alternative to "accept slight deviation"?

In a formal report, you might prefer to use phrases like "permit small discrepancies" or "admit a narrow margin of error".

Can I use "accept slight deviation" in daily conversation?

While grammatically correct, it sounds somewhat technical for casual speech. You might instead say you can "tolerate slight differences" or simply "not worry about small changes".

Is it "accept slight deviation" or "accept a slight deviation"?

Both are correct. "accept slight deviation" often acts as a general principle or mass noun concept in scientific writing, whereas "accept a slight deviation" refers to a specific instance of change. You can also use "minor variation" in similar contexts.