are very slight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are very slight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is minimal or not significant in degree or amount. Example: "The differences in the two models are very slight, making it difficult to choose between them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The slopes of the river there are very slight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The differences, however, are very slight, and such as might readily be due to environment.

Cornell University

Where natural disasters do show predictable political outcomes, they are very slight.

The Economist

But the improvements are very slight, studies show — certainly not enough to make caffeine a replacement for medication.

The New York Times - Health

Both Stricker and Garcia have just had moments of genius there, and yet their rewards are very slight indeed.

The Guardian - Sport

Since your mortar is unglazed, the chances are very slight that it has been contaminated with lead.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"The pain has been very slight".

Independent

The average gradient there is very slight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its fall below Newark is very slight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fretting damage of the coatings was very slight.

Tribology International

Apple says that the battery hit is very slight.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are very slight", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being described as minimal or insignificant. Avoid overuse in contexts where stronger language would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "are very slight" when the differences or changes actually have significant implications. Be sure the degree of impact aligns with the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are very slight" primarily functions as a descriptive element within a sentence. It quantifies the degree to which differences, changes, or effects exist, emphasizing their minimal nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are very slight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as Ludwig AI confirms, to indicate minimal differences or effects. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, emphasizing minor variations or insignificant changes. When writing, it's crucial to align the phrase's usage with the actual magnitude of the difference to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "are almost imperceptible" or "are practically negligible" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are practically negligible

Indicates something is so small it can be disregarded.

are barely noticeable

Highlights the difficulty in observing or detecting something.

are scarcely perceptible

Highlights the difficulty in noticing or sensing something.

are almost imperceptible

Emphasizes that something is so small it's nearly impossible to detect.

are virtually unnoticeable

Similar to imperceptible, suggesting something is almost impossible to see or feel.

are hardly discernible

Stresses the challenge in distinguishing or perceiving something.

are infinitesimally small

Emphasizes the extremely small size or quantity of something.

are substantially minimal

Highlights the significantly small amount or degree of something.

are only marginal

Indicates that something exists just above a minimum level or is of limited significance.

are of little consequence

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are very slight" in a sentence?

Use "are very slight" to describe differences, changes, or effects that are minimal or barely noticeable. For example, "The differences between the two versions "are very slight"."

What are some alternatives to "are very slight"?

Alternatives include "are almost imperceptible", "are barely noticeable", or "are practically negligible" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "are very slight" or "is very slight"?

"Are very slight" is used with plural subjects, while "is very slight" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The differences are very slight," but "The change is very slight."

What's the difference between "are very slight" and "are somewhat slight"?

"Are very slight" emphasizes a greater degree of minimality than "are somewhat slight". "Are very slight" suggests something is barely perceptible, while "are somewhat slight" implies it is noticeable but still small.