by a slight amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a slight amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small degree of change or difference in a measurement or quantity. Example: "The temperature increased by a slight amount, making it more comfortable outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But what is important for the muon is that because W's behave differently in magnetic fields, the brief switcheroo changes the measured wobble frequency by a slight amount.

The New York Times - Science

Those figures both bested expectations by a slight amount.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The soluble RbcX and RbcS were almost undetectable by SDS-PAGE and only a slight amount of their insoluble forms were seen.

Protein & Cell

By now, everyone who pays even a slight amount of attention to sports or popular culture in general knows who Johnny Manziel is, and most likely, they do not have positive things to say about him.

Huffington Post

During the O2 reduction reaction (ORR) at the Pt cathode of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a slight amount of H2O2 is produced as a by-product.

Electrochimica Acta

For both complexes, 4 equiv of CaCl2 was added to saturate cNTnC, the pH was adjusted to 6.7, and a slight amount of precipitate was eliminated by filtration.

Biochemistry

This requires a slight amount of force, but ensures instantaneous death by snapping the neck.

WikiHow

If there is a slight amount of undercutting, its purpose is to give emphasis, by means of cast shadow, to a contour rather than to give any impression that the forms are independent of their background.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A slight amount of glacial acetic acid solution containing CuNWs was diluted by 500-ml deionized water.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A slight amount of stimulation directed toward the senses may further increase the likelihood of hallucination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was possibly experiencing a slight amount of panic towards the end of the term.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by a slight amount", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured or compared. For example, "The price increased by a slight amount due to inflation".

Common error

Avoid using "by a slight amount" when the actual amount is significant. Overusing it can downplay important changes or differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a slight amount" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the extent or degree to which an action or state changes, indicating a small or minimal alteration. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a slight amount" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote a minimal change or difference across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its presence in news, science, and general reference materials indicates broad applicability. While seemingly simple, you should use it to quantify change by clearly indicating what is being measured, and avoid overusing it when more significant changes are involved. Alternatives such as ""by a small degree"" or ""to a limited extent"" can provide nuanced expressions of small quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a small degree

Emphasizes the small extent of change or difference.

minimally

Uses a single word to express a small amount or degree.

to a limited extent

Highlights the restriction or constraint on the amount or degree.

to a marginal degree

Highlights the insignificance of the amount or degree.

by a narrow margin

Focuses on the closeness of a result or difference.

by a hair's breadth

Emphasizes how close something is to not happening or being different.

in a small measure

Stresses the limited quantity or degree involved.

by a shade

Implies an almost imperceptible difference.

just a little

Uses simpler language to indicate a small quantity.

in a soupçon

Lends a bit of flair to the idea of "a little".

FAQs

How can I use "by a slight amount" in a sentence?

You can use "by a slight amount" to indicate a small change or difference. For example, "The temperature increased "by a slight amount" this morning".

What can I say instead of "by a slight amount"?

Alternatives include "by a small degree", "to a limited extent", or "by a narrow margin", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slight amount" or "a small amount"?

Both "a slight amount" and "a small amount" are acceptable, but "slight" implies a less noticeable quantity than "small". Use the one that best fits the context of your sentence.

Can "by a slight amount" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "by a slight amount" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision isn't critical. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "to a marginal degree".