decreased slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreased slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decrease that is not significant, but still noticeable. For example: "The temperature decreased slightly overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Revenues decreased slightly to $901 million.

The New York Times

In 1998, that number decreased slightly.

The New York Times

But shares of other statin makers also decreased slightly.

The New York Times

Book sales over all decreased slightly in Britain last year.

The New York Times - Books

And another nutrient class, phenolics, actually decreased slightly.

The New York Times - Science

The average length of time on the market has decreased slightly since last year, Ms. Martone said.

The New York Times

Other major points of the report include the following: The percentage of children covered by health insurance decreased slightly.

The New York Times

According to Milanovic, the global Gini index has decreased slightly, from 0.72 in 1988 to 0.71 in 2008.

The Guardian

At the same time, the percentage of Americans who own guns decreased slightly from 25%to22%25%to22%

The Guardian

SVV and PPV decreased slightly.

Annals of Intensive Care

The flashiness of the stream decreased slightly.

Applied Geography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decreased slightly" when you want to indicate a small, often insignificant, reduction without causing alarm or overstating the change.

Common error

Avoid using "decreased slightly" when the reduction is actually substantial or statistically significant. Use more precise language like "decreased significantly" or provide specific numerical data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which something decreased. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, indicating a decrease that is noticeable but not significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decreased slightly" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a minor reduction. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for indicating a decrease that is noticeable but not significant. It's prevalent in both scientific and news contexts, serving to provide information about a reduction without exaggerating its impact. When writing, ensure that the decrease truly is slight; otherwise, consider alternatives like "declined significantly" if the reduction is substantial. "Decreased slightly" is a versatile phrase for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrank a little

Focuses on a reduction in size or amount.

declined marginally

Uses 'declined' to emphasize a downward trend with a degree of formality.

reduced marginally

Uses 'reduced' to focus on the act of lessening something to a small degree.

receded a bit

Implies a gradual retreat or reduction.

fell subtly

Highlights the almost imperceptible nature of the decrease.

eased off slightly

Indicates a gentle decrease in intensity or pressure.

moderately decreased

Highlights a balanced and noticeable, but not drastic, reduction.

diminished imperceptibly

Emphasizes that the decrease was so small as to be nearly unnoticeable.

lessened just a touch

Emphasizes a minimal amount of reduction.

tapered off incrementally

Suggests a gradual and steady decline.

FAQs

How can I use "decreased slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "decreased slightly" to describe a minor reduction in something. For example: "The company's profits "decreased slightly" this quarter compared to last year."

What are some alternatives to saying "decreased slightly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "shrank a little", "declined marginally", or "receded a bit", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "decreased slightly" versus "decreased significantly"?

"Decreased slightly" is appropriate when the reduction is small and not particularly noteworthy. "Decreased significantly" should be used when the reduction is substantial and important. It depends on the specific context and the magnitude of the change.

Is it correct to say "slightly decreased" instead of "decreased slightly"?

While "slightly decreased" is grammatically correct, "decreased slightly" is more common and sounds more natural in most contexts. The placement of "slightly" after "decreased" is generally preferred in formal writing.