be a slight variation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a slight variation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing differences or modifications in something, indicating that the change is minor. Example: "The new design will be a slight variation of the original concept, maintaining its core elements while introducing fresh features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It may only be a slight variation on the old model of talent scouting, but what's wrong with that?

The Guardian

An appropriate riposte to the codices sceptics would be a slight variation on that proverb: "mistrust, but verify".

The Economist

With a launch promotion that was literally out of this world, there was a concern that Angry Birds Space wouldn't live up to its hype, or just be a slight variation of previous versions of the game.

TechCrunch

There appeared to be a slight variation in remittance behaviour, depending on the future plans of respondents.

Human Resources for Health

It could also be a slight variation is egg size for this region as no previous studies have reported the infection characteristics among humans, and egg sizes have been noted to vary according to geographical location [ 1, 5, 21].

BMC Infectious Diseases

There may be a slight variation when compared with the original price.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's a slight variation of the theme".

The New York Times

His opening question to me was a slight variation, substituting Parkchester for Riverdale.

The New York Times

This is a slight variation on a Mediterranean houmous or baba ganoush.

Independent

Hitchcock is a slight variation on the theme, having pronounced his own genius and inserted his own image into the Sgt Pepper sleeve of popular cultural icons.

The Guardian

Turns out, the first line is a slight variation of the actual spoken words, and the second sentence was not part of the historical transcript.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes, consider whether "be a slight variation" accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference. If the change is more significant, choose a more descriptive phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "be a slight variation" when the difference is actually substantial. Using it inappropriately can mislead your audience about the true extent of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a slight variation" functions as a predicative expression, typically used to describe the relationship between two things, indicating that one is a modified or altered form of the other, but only to a small degree. Ludwig AI indicates that is used in different context to show a small change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be a slight variation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a minor difference or modification between two things. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile enough for various contexts, though more common in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the difference you're describing is indeed small, and consider alternative phrases like "be a minor adjustment" or "be a subtle modification" if they better fit the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a subtle modification

Emphasizes the subtlety of the change, suggesting it is not easily noticeable.

be a minor adjustment

Focuses on the act of adjusting, implying a correction or refinement.

be a small alteration

Highlights the act of altering, suggesting a change in form or character.

be a marginal difference

Indicates the difference is at the edge or boundary of significance.

differ slightly

Directly states the act of differing in a small degree.

vary marginally

Highlights the act of varying, indicating a small range of change.

exhibit a minor deviation

Focuses on the act of deviating, implying a departure from a standard or norm.

present a subtle contrast

Emphasizes the contrast between two things, highlighting its subtlety.

constitute a fine distinction

Indicates that the difference is precise and delicate.

be a nuance

Highlights a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

FAQs

How can I use "be a slight variation" in a sentence?

You can use "be a slight variation" to describe a minor change or difference. For example, "The new model is "be a slight variation" on the previous design."

What's the difference between "be a slight variation" and "be a significant change"?

"Be a slight variation" indicates a minor difference, while "be a significant change" implies a more substantial alteration. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.

Are there any synonyms for "be a slight variation"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "be a minor adjustment", "be a small alteration", or "be a subtle modification" to express a similar idea.

Is it correct to say "is a slight variation" or "was a slight variation"?

Both "is a slight variation" and "was a slight variation" are grammatically correct. The correct choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "is" for present tense and "was" for past tense.