are slightly different

USAGE SUMMARY

"are slightly different" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe variations or distinctions between two or more things. Example: The two paintings are slightly different in color, with one having a warmer tone than the other.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cravings are slightly different.

Independent

Their dresses are slightly different.

The New York Times

The circumstances are slightly different.

The Guardian

The stars here are slightly different.

The Guardian - Sport

But the Stones' projects are slightly different.

The New Yorker

Things are slightly different in Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

This year, however, things are slightly different.

The Guardian - Film

Nevertheless, Prior's mechanics are slightly different now.

The New York Times - Sports

The curriculums are slightly different at both schools.

The New York Times

His reasons for getting involved with Mute are slightly different.

The Guardian - Music

For Mr. Arafat, the calculations are slightly different.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are slightly different" to acknowledge a distinction while maintaining a focus on the overall similarity. This is useful when providing context or comparing closely related items.

Common error

Avoid using "are slightly different" when the differences are significant or impactful. Using stronger language is necessary to accurately reflect substantial distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are slightly different" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a degree of dissimilarity between two or more entities. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are slightly different" is a common and grammatically correct way to express minor distinctions between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the differences genuinely are minor, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "are marginally different" or "are subtly distinct" can provide similar nuance. This phrase serves to acknowledge distinctions while implying an overall similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are marginally different

Emphasizes the small degree of difference.

are subtly distinct

Highlights the fine and delicate nature of the differences.

vary to a small degree

Focuses on the variance and its limited extent.

differ in minor ways

Directly states the differences are not significant.

are almost the same

Indicates a high degree of similarity with only slight deviations.

have minor discrepancies

Points out small inconsistencies or variations.

are virtually identical

Highlights the near-sameness despite minimal differences.

are somewhat dissimilar

Indicates a moderate level of difference between items.

are not entirely alike

Emphasizes the lack of complete resemblance.

exhibit slight variations

Highlights the presence of minor changes or deviations.

FAQs

How can I use "are slightly different" in a sentence?

The phrase "are slightly different" is used to indicate that two or more things have some distinctions, but these differences are not substantial. For example, "The two models "are slightly different" in their battery life."

What can I say instead of "are slightly different"?

You can use alternatives like "are marginally different", "are subtly distinct", or "vary to a small degree" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are slightly different" or "is slightly different"?

"Are slightly different" is used when referring to multiple subjects, while "is slightly different" is used for a singular subject. For example, "The ingredients "are slightly different"" versus "This ingredient "is slightly different"".

What's the difference between "are slightly different" and "are very different"?

"Are slightly different" indicates minor variations, while "are very different" implies significant distinctions. The choice depends on the degree of dissimilarity you want to emphasize.