differ just slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ just slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a minor difference or variation between two or more things. Example: "The two models differ just slightly in terms of their battery life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I do have my teenage self's opinions to offer, but somehow I suspect that my policies when my own children are teenagers will differ just slightly from the "you never let me do anything" attitude I maintained in high school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The mean ratio of minute ventilation of cyclists compared to car passengers differs just slightly when using the equation of Samet for men.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

My sequence of actions, though, differs just slightly from Mr. Genzlinger's: 1.Read sign.

The New York Times

Mr Gabaix thinks the "economics of superstars", invented by Sherwin Rosen, fits the bill.Top executives may differ only slightly in their talents, just as sports champions differ only slightly from runners-up.

The Economist

While the questions differ only slightly, they generated vastly different responses.

The New York Times

These are the latest American Cancer Society guidelines, which differ only slightly from those of the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The New York Times - Health

Over all, however, the budget projections in the White House and Congressional Budget Office reports differ only slightly.

The New York Times

The remit and powers of the commissioners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ only slightly.

The Guardian

The candidates for governor, Ms. Lingle and Ms. Hirono, differed only slightly on the issues.

The New York Times

In the Senate, their records on trade matters have differed only slightly.

The New York Times

Post-discussion ranking just slightly differs compared to the pre-discussion ranking with only two ranking positions having changed: wind onshore ranks third displacing solar thermal on the fourth position, while nuclear and pulverized coal swap the last rank.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differ just slightly" to indicate a minor difference or variation between two or more things, ensuring your audience understands the distinction is not significant.

Common error

Avoid using "differ just slightly" when the differences are actually substantial. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ just slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the extent to which two or more things are dissimilar. It adds detail to a verb, indicating a minor distinction. As Ludwig suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "differ just slightly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a minor difference between two or more things. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for use in various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media sources. Its function is to emphasize that any existing differences are small and not particularly significant. When using this phrase, ensure that the actual differences are indeed minor to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ marginally

Focuses on the small degree of difference.

differ by a nuance

Highlights that the difference is subtle and refined.

vary imperceptibly

Emphasizes that the difference is barely noticeable.

differ trivially

Indicates the difference is insignificant.

differ almost negligibly

Stresses that the difference is so small it can almost be ignored.

differ minutely

Highlights the extremely small scale of the difference.

differ fractionally

Emphasizes the small, fractional difference.

show a slight divergence

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a small difference in direction or opinion.

are subtly different

Highlights the understated nature of the difference.

bear a faint distinction

Emphasizes the delicacy and subtlety of the difference.

FAQs

How can I use "differ just slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "differ just slightly" to indicate a minor difference between two things. For example, "The two models "differ just slightly" in terms of their battery life".

What are some alternatives to saying "differ just slightly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "differ marginally", "differ by a nuance", or "vary imperceptibly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "differ only slightly" instead of "differ just slightly"?

Yes, "differ only slightly" is a very similar and often interchangeable phrase with "differ just slightly". Both convey the idea of a small difference.

What's the difference between "differ slightly" and "differ just slightly"?

Adding "just" emphasizes the smallness of the difference even further. Both phrases are correct, but ""differ just slightly"" adds a degree of emphasis on the minor nature of the difference.