differ slightly from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ slightly from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to have small or subtle differences compared to something else. Example: "The new model of the car differs slightly from the previous version in terms of design and features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One difference worth noting is that workers in the gig economy differ slightly from those on zero-hours contracts.

BBC

It might differ slightly from the originally published version.

Stanford University

These simplifications might differ slightly from what happens in vivo.

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

(Its figures sometimes differ slightly from those of individual countries, but provide a yardstick).

The New York Times

The professional game will differ slightly from the traditional college game.

The New York Times

The socks that Bombas gives away differ slightly from those that it sells.

The New York Times

Note that library transliteration can differ slightly from typical academic transliteration of Hebrew.

Columbia University

Moreover, the analytic results differ slightly from the experimental results, by 1.53 10.50%.

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design

In his rendering of Trump World Tower, the color and window articulation differ slightly from the actual building.

The New York Times

As a consequence, children's language comes to differ slightly from that of their parents' generation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, oligopolists compete by making their products differ slightly from their rivals'.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ slightly from", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what is being compared. This helps the reader understand the specific nuances being described.

Common error

Avoid using "differ slightly from" when the differences are substantial. Using it inappropriately can mislead readers into underestimating the real degree of variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ slightly from" functions as a comparative verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it indicates that two or more things have small or subtle differences. Examples show it used in academic, news, and scientific contexts to specify minor variations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differ slightly from" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate minor variations between two or more items. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific, news and academic contexts, this phrase serves to provide precise, nuanced comparisons without overstating the degree of difference. When using this phrase, ensure a clear reference point for comparison exists to avoid ambiguity. While highly versatile, it's important to prevent using it when the difference is substantial to not mislead the readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary marginally from

Emphasizes a small degree of variation.

deviate subtly from

Highlights a slight departure or divergence.

contrast narrowly with

Focuses on a limited contrast between two things.

diverge imperceptibly from

Stresses that the difference is almost unnoticeable.

bear a resemblance with minor distinctions to

Highlights resemblance, but also points out smaller differences.

are nearly identical except for

Focuses on near identity with noted exceptions.

show subtle differences compared to

Highlights differences, but stresses that they are subtle.

exhibit minor variations from

Emphasizes that only variations of small importance exist.

distinct by a narrow margin from

Highlights that the margin of difference is not large.

display minimal alterations from

Stresses how little the original has been altered.

FAQs

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

You can use "differ slightly from" to indicate minor variations between two or more things. For instance, "The new version of the software "differs slightly from" the previous one in its user interface".

What is a good alternative to "differ slightly from"?

Alternatives include "vary marginally from", "deviate subtly from", or "contrast narrowly with", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "differ slightly from" or "differ significantly from"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference. Use "differ slightly from" for minor variations and "differ significantly from" when the variations are substantial.

What's the difference between "differ slightly from" and "resemble closely"?

"Differ slightly from" emphasizes the differences, while "resemble closely" highlights the similarities. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.