be slightly off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be slightly off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not quite accurate or is a little incorrect. Example: "The measurements you provided seem to be slightly off; could you double-check them?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Brady's timing might be slightly off because he sat out much of the American Football Conference championship game.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've shown how fragile life can be if we choose to be slightly off," Friday said of that defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Sure enough, the first signs that the two might be slightly off the boil came when they lost the qualifying round to Australia.

Independent

911 volume -- my numbers may be slightly off, but just for purposes of illustration -- 911 on any given day does about 30,000, 35,000 calls.

The New York Times

He said several assumptions that drove his client strategy over the last three years "turned out to be slightly off, or more than slightly off".

The New York Times

These adjustments, in addition to the expanded five-color scheme, have helped address some of the concerns expressed by clients who found the CASH interpretations to be slightly off in some cases.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

While it may be slightly off-putting, the fact is that humans spend 87percentt of their time indoors, and, as mobile technology evolves, the devices in our pockets (along with complementary solutions) are becoming more and more adept at tracking our movements.

TechCrunch

The stem is 0.4-2.5 0.4-2.5, 0.15-0.3 cm thick, and usualongattached centrally to the underside of the cap, although it may sometimes be slightly off-center.

Wikipedia

Sure, the kicks may be slightly off-centre, and they're quarantined to the edges, stuck telling off the kids playing soccer for getting too close, but it's still a club.

Vice

Having the keyboard be slightly off-center can lend a lovely effect as well.

WikiHow

They should be slightly off-centre; again, about one and a half bolt-widths from the edge.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or measurements, use "be slightly off" to indicate a small, acceptable margin of error, acknowledging that absolute precision is not always attainable.

Common error

Avoid using stronger terms like "completely wrong" when "be slightly off" is more appropriate. Exaggerating minor inaccuracies can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be slightly off" functions as a linking verb phrase followed by an adverb and an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. It expresses a state of being that is close to, but not exactly, correct. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to indicate minor discrepancies or inaccuracies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be slightly off" is a useful expression to indicate minor inaccuracies or deviations from a standard. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a variety of contexts. While examples are relatively rare, it is most frequently found in news and media, wiki-based articles, and academic texts. When writing, it's important to ensure the context warrants a subtle understatement rather than a more forceful correction, avoiding overstatements that could undermine your credibility. Remember, precision in language helps ensure clarity and accuracy in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a little inaccurate

Implies a small degree of inaccuracy, similar to "be slightly off".

be somewhat incorrect

Suggests a partial error, comparable to being slightly off the mark.

be a bit out

Indicates a minor deviation from an expected value or position.

be marginally wrong

Emphasizes the small degree to which something is incorrect.

be just a tad off

Uses "tad" to highlight the minimal nature of the difference.

be off by a hair

Suggests a very small margin of error or deviation.

be a shade off

Uses "shade" to imply a subtle difference or inaccuracy.

be barely misaligned

Focuses on a slight lack of alignment.

be nearly incorrect

Indicates that something is close to being wrong but not entirely.

be subtly flawed

Highlights a minor imperfection or fault.

FAQs

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

You can use "be slightly off" to indicate that something is not quite accurate or correct. For example, "The measurements you provided seem to "be slightly off"; could you double-check them?"

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

Alternatives include phrases like "be a little inaccurate", "be somewhat incorrect", or "be a bit out", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be slightly off" or "be slightly off-center"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Be slightly off" is a general term for being inaccurate, while "be slightly off-center" specifically refers to something not being perfectly centered.

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

"Be slightly off" indicates a minor inaccuracy, whereas "be way off" suggests a significant discrepancy or error.