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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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confirm slightly

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confirm slightly" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to suggest a minor or partial confirmation, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "I can only confirm slightly that the meeting will take place next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cyclic voltammograms confirm slightly higher charging/discharging currents of the PPyCDC hybrid.

Science

Carbon

(B) 2D reflection data confirm slightly higher mean signal intensity in the control group (same animal number per group), P = 0.79.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The analysis of dispersion of undifferenced pseudorange observations caused by noise and multipath effect has confirmed slightly higher precision of code observations on the first in respect to second frequency for both systems.

Unless and until other polls confirm the slightly bigger lead measured by Quinnipiac, Florida should be considered a toss-up.

News & Media

Huffington Post

In many respects, the same groups of scientists and policy makers have met on a regular basis to confirm and slightly redesign the road-map [ 26- 28] With each declaration from these meetings, the heart health promotion community has solidified.

It confirms our slightly smug sense of our capital as centre of the universe.

Extension to tritium confirmed a slightly slower mass transport compared with deuterium leading to potentially under-estimated design features for detritiation processing when deuterium is used instead.

Bill Callahan's last album cropped up on many an end-of-year poll in 2009, confirming the slightly creepy former boyfriend of both Cat Power and Joanna Newsom as an American songwriter still impressing 20 years into his career.

Electrokinetic analysis confirmed the slightly different behaviour of as-sputtered and annealed Pt nanostructures, the highest differences being observed for lower Pt thicknesses.

Last week President Obama released his tax returns, showing that he paid an effective tax rate of 20.5%, which the White House confirmed was slightly less than that paid by his secretary.

News & Media

BBC

This favorable 2013 ratio confirmed and slightly improved what was obtained in 2012 1.2599), and a similar result is expected in 2014, although relevant yearly fluctuations are possible for small-size journals like JORT.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "confirm slightly" with more descriptive alternatives such as "partially confirm" or "tentatively verify" to clearly convey the extent of confirmation.

Common error

Avoid using "confirm slightly" when evidence strongly supports a claim. Opt for stronger verbs like "prove" or "establish" to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confirm slightly" functions as a verb phrase where the adverb "slightly" attempts to modify the verb "confirm". However, Ludwig AI identifies this combination as awkward and unclear, suggesting it does not effectively convey a minor or partial confirmation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "confirm slightly" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically awkward and unclear. It aims to express a partial or weak confirmation, but more precise alternatives like ""partially confirm"" or "tentatively verify" are recommended for improved clarity and accuracy. The phrase's infrequency and potential for misinterpretation make it a less desirable choice in both formal and informal writing. Utilizing the suggested alternatives will help ensure your message is conveyed effectively and without ambiguity.

FAQs

What does "confirm slightly" mean?

The phrase "confirm slightly" is generally considered awkward and unclear. It suggests a partial or minor confirmation but is not a standard or precise way to express this. It's better to use more direct phrases like "partially confirm" or "tentatively confirm".

How can I use "confirm" to indicate a weak confirmation?

To indicate a weak confirmation, it's clearer to use phrases like "partly corroborate" or "verify to a small degree". These options are more grammatically sound and provide a clearer understanding of the extent of confirmation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "confirm slightly"?

While the phrase might be understood, it's not grammatically ideal. Using an adverb like "slightly" to modify "confirm" can sound unnatural. Rewording is typically recommended for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "confirm slightly" in academic writing?

In academic writing, it's important to be precise. Alternatives like "substantiate in part" or "validate somewhat" are more suitable as they clearly indicate the level of support for a claim.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: