are slightly off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are slightly off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not quite accurate or correct, often in a minor way. Example: "The measurements you provided are slightly off, so we need to adjust them before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Ghanaian drummer Agbenyega Attiogbe-Redlich plays to a metronome, but like all humans, his beats are slightly off rhythm.

Harvard University

Even so, some imprecision creeps in and the final numbers are slightly off from the beginning ones.

WikiHow

"Lord's is always a fast-scoring ground and if you are slightly off as a bowler then you are going to go.

Independent

There are a couple things that are slightly off, but they are trying their damnedest to make this history show and do exactly what the narrator said happened.

The New York Times - Arts

Even so, the homey atmosphere — flowery wallpaper, turquoise tiles — makes the little things that are slightly off, like warm wineglasses, seem somehow charming.

The New Yorker

Dowell's idiom and mode of thinking are not perfectly American, and Ford's insights into American ways are slightly off, but America is not his subject, England is, and Dowell is convincing enough.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"The flatly sung vocals are slightly off-putting but quite minimal and as the piercing, insinuating instrumental intensifies, it draws you in like quicksand.

The New Yorker

I love genre stuff but these three films stand out because they are slightly off-genre, they're not just about the crime.

The Guardian - Film

Notably, the CO molecules in 51264 cages rotate around the centre by forming a cubic symmetry, and in 512 cages they are slightly off-centred with a pseudosphere configuration.

Nature

She deals in ambiguity, in things that are slightly off-kilter: "His anxiety was something like the rolling pressure required to remove the shell of a hard-boiled egg".

The Guardian - Books

The education world is uncomfortable with words such as "profit" and "expansion" and academy and free school supporters sense that E-Act and its director-general are slightly off-message.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are slightly off", ensure the context makes it clear what the expected or correct value is for comparison. This provides clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "are slightly off" when the deviation is significant. Using it in such cases can downplay the actual problem and mislead the audience. Choose a more appropriate phrase to accurately reflect the magnitude of the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are slightly off" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to qualify a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something is not entirely accurate or correct, but the error is relatively small. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are slightly off" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys a minor deviation from an expected or accurate state. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its neutral register makes it versatile across various writing styles, though formal or scientific contexts might benefit from more precise language. Common sources include news outlets, scientific publications, and wikis. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the expected value for comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are marginally inaccurate

Replaces 'slightly off' with 'marginally inaccurate', emphasizing a small degree of inaccuracy.

are a bit off

Uses simpler language ('a bit') to convey the same meaning of a small deviation.

are somewhat incorrect

Replaces 'slightly off' with 'somewhat incorrect', focusing on the lack of correctness.

are not quite right

Employs a more informal and general expression to indicate something is not accurate.

deviate slightly

Uses 'deviate slightly' to highlight the act of moving away from a correct value or path.

are a little out

A more colloquial way of saying something is not exactly right.

are just a hair off

Uses the idiom 'a hair off' to describe a very small difference or error.

are off by a smidge

Employs 'smidge' to emphasize a tiny amount of deviation.

are just a tad off

Uses 'tad' to indicate a small degree of being off.

are only slightly wrong

Directly states the presence of a minor error.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are slightly off" indicates a minor deviation from what is expected or accurate. For example, "The measurements "are slightly off", so we need to recalibrate the equipment".

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

You can use alternatives like "are a bit inaccurate", "are not quite right", or "deviate slightly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are slightly off" in formal writing?

While "are slightly off" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, you might prefer more precise alternatives such as "are marginally inaccurate" or "deviate slightly" to maintain a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "are slightly off" and "are way off"?

"Are slightly off" indicates a small error or deviation, while "are way off" suggests a significant and noticeable discrepancy. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.