deviate slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviate slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor departure from a standard, norm, or expected behavior. Example: "The results of the experiment deviate slightly from our initial hypothesis, suggesting that further investigation is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results were shown to deviate slightly from the solution to the mathematical model.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

The orientation relationship was found to deviate slightly from the ideal Burgers orientation relationship.

Acta Materialia

That led interrogators to believe that they "could deviate slightly from the rules," according to an Army Reserve sergeant who served at Bagram.

The New York Times

The jets from the 60° nozzles were found to deviate slightly from their geometric axis slightly due to internal pressure redistribution in the flow at the nozzles.

Applied Mathematical Modelling

The results show that H1, H2, H6, and H7 are optimal ones according to the competitive ratio criterion, while the other algorithms deviate slightly from the optimum.

European Journal of Operational Research

It will deviate slightly from the line to include certain Jewish settlements within Israel, and to exclude densely peopled Palestinian areas".This is a fascist, apartheid measure.

The Economist

It will deviate slightly from the line to include certain Jewish settlements within Israel, and to exclude densely-peopled Palestinian areas.

The Economist

The response curves corresponding to the step inputs deviate slightly from the model due to slight oscillations of the tracer pump.

Chemical Engineering Science

"This [result] is a serious indication of how final results might look, though results might deviate slightly," said Miloš Bešić, a lecturer of political sciences at Belgrade University who monitors Montenegro's vote.

The Guardian

However, once the tool has been mounted on a machine tool, setting errors inevitably cause the working angles of the tool to deviate slightly from the designed cutting angles.

Applied Mathematical Modelling

Ms. Stoffel said she chose to deviate slightly from Ms. Bentley's portrayal by adding some naïveté to her account of how she managed to recover from a traumatic and failed marriage to find sexual liberation and fulfillment.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deviate slightly", ensure the context clearly establishes the expected norm or standard from which the deviation occurs. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "deviate slightly" when the deviation is actually substantial or significant. Using it inappropriately can minimize the impact of the deviation and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviate slightly" functions as a modifier, typically used to qualify the extent of a deviation from a standard, norm, or expectation. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates that something is not exactly as it should be, but the difference is minor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

23%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deviate slightly" is a versatile phrase used to describe minor departures from established norms or expectations. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the norm being referenced and that the deviation is indeed minor to prevent misinterpretation. Alternatives such as "differ marginally" or "stray a little" can be used for nuanced expression. This guide, leveraging real-world examples, offers a comprehensive understanding of effectively using "deviate slightly" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ marginally

Focuses on the small degree of difference, emphasizing the comparison between two things.

vary marginally

Highlights the slight change or fluctuation from a set point or standard.

stray a little

Implies a small departure from a path or expected course.

diverge minimally

Emphasizes the point at which things start to go in different directions, but to a small extent.

depart marginally

Similar to "deviate", but may suggest a more formal or intentional departure.

veer slightly

Suggests a small change in direction, often in a physical sense but can be used metaphorically.

fluctuate modestly

Indicates a small and irregular variation or change.

shift subtly

Highlights the delicate and often hard-to-notice nature of the change.

digress infinitesimally

Implies a very small departure from the main subject or point.

contrast faintly

Highlights small degree of difference. It's not usually interchangeable, but it could be if used well.

FAQs

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

You can use "deviate slightly" to describe a minor departure from a standard, norm, or expected behavior. For example, "The experimental results "deviate slightly" from the theoretical predictions".

What are some alternatives to saying "deviate slightly"?

Alternatives include "differ marginally", "vary marginally", or "stray a little", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "deviate slightly" or "differ significantly" when describing changes?

Use "deviate slightly" when the change is small and not particularly important. Use "differ significantly" when the change is substantial and has a noticeable impact.

What's the difference between "deviate slightly" and "fluctuate slightly"?

"Deviate slightly" implies a departure from a specific point or norm, while "fluctuate slightly" suggests an irregular variation around a central value.