adjust a little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adjust a little" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to express a request to make a slight alteration or change. For instance, you could say "Could you please adjust a little to the left?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But I am starting to adjust a little bit to everything how the game's played now".

The New York Times

"The guys are trying to readjust a little bit; he has to adjust a little bit".

The New York Times - Sports

If I'd got it just a bit wrong, I might have just tried to adjust a little.

The Guardian - Film

When you play centre-back you can see the whole game in front of you, when you're on the wing you have to adjust a little.

Independent

The essence of his style was to adjust a little bit every day based on what you have gathered up until then.

The New York Times

He went from no fouls in the third quarter to picking up four quick fouls, so I think he's going to have to adjust a little bit".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I'm still adjusting a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not to say that I wasn't last year, but everybody was adjusting a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

Had he done that, maybe his perspective might have been adjusted a little, or even changed.

The Guardian

"The season needs to be adjusted a little bit so that you can spend a couple of weeks together in the U.K. and Ireland to prepare properly".

The New York Times - Sports

The precise mix of apples, oranges, pears and grapes could be adjusted — a little more of this, or a little less of that — so there would be just the right amount of ingredients to make a fruit salad, without blowing the budget.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, use "adjust a little" to soften the critique and encourage incremental improvements rather than drastic changes.

Common error

While "adjust a little" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey the intended degree of modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adjust a little" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to suggest a minor modification or alteration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common expression for recommending a small change. For instance, Ludwig provides examples where it’s used to describe fine-tuning actions in both physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adjust a little" is a versatile phrase used to suggest minor modifications across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in informal to neutral settings. While it may not be suitable for formal writing, its role in softening recommendations and instructions makes it a valuable tool in everyday communication. Consider using more formal alternatives like "modify slightly" or "alter subtly" in professional settings to maintain a more sophisticated tone. Remember, the frequency of its use is uncommon, but its understandability and versatility are high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify slightly

Emphasizes making a small change to something.

tweak marginally

Highlights a very small adjustment for improvement.

alter subtly

Focuses on making a change that is not immediately obvious.

change minimally

Stresses the small extent of the alteration.

revise gently

Suggests a careful and mild revision.

refine slightly

Implies improving something by making small changes.

correct minimally

Highlights making a correction, but only to a small extent.

adapt somewhat

Focuses on changing to fit new conditions to some extent.

regulate gently

Emphasizes gradual and careful regulation.

calibrate finely

Suggests making precise adjustments for accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "adjust a little" in a sentence?

You can use "adjust a little" to suggest a small change or modification. For example, "Could you "adjust a little" to the left so everyone can fit in the picture?"

What is a more formal alternative to "adjust a little"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "modify slightly", "alter subtly", or "revise gently" instead of "adjust a little".

Is there a difference between ""adjust a little"" and "adjust slightly"?

While similar, ""adjust a little"" might imply a more informal and potentially smaller adjustment than "adjust slightly".

When is it appropriate to use ""adjust a little"" in writing?

"Adjust a little" is suitable for informal or conversational writing where you want to suggest a minor modification without sounding overly technical or demanding. It's common in everyday instructions or suggestions.