differs slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"differs slightly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that two things are similar in many ways, but not exactly the same. For example: The cost of the car varies depending on the model, but each one differs slightly in design.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This critical value differs slightly for different VC values.

Plosone

However, MDR differs slightly from MartiRank in that it uses a different heuristic evaluation function.

BMC Genomics

But Lewis's mission differs slightly from Fox's.

The New York Times - Sports

(These prices reflect the hotel's exchange rate, which differs slightly from bank rates).

The New York Times - Travel

The easy answer is that the book differs slightly from other how-to guides.

The New York Times - Books

Procrit, which differs slightly, is made by Amgen and sold by Johnson & Johnson.

The New York Times

Every performance differs slightly, because the script of the play doesn't have an ending.

The Guardian - Travel

Kramers's account differs slightly from the one found in Strauss's diary.

The New Yorker

The Marden exhibition differs slightly from its first showing, at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington.

The New York Times - Arts

— Joyce White, Philadelphia "True" convection differs slightly from an oven with a convection setting.

The New York Times

The play of Canadian football differs slightly from the U.S. version.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differs slightly" to acknowledge minor variations without overstating the differences between subjects. This is especially useful when precision is important but the distinctions are not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "differs slightly" when the differences are substantial or significant. It is more appropriate for describing minor variations that do not fundamentally alter the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differs slightly" functions as a qualifier, modifying a verb to indicate the extent of a difference. It suggests that while there are distinctions, they are minimal and not substantial. Ludwig highlights its usability in conveying this nuance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differs slightly" is a versatile qualifier used to denote minor variations across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase is very common, appearing frequently in scientific, news media, and encyclopedic sources. When using "differs slightly", it's important to ensure that the differences are indeed minimal to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "varies marginally" or "deviates marginally" can offer similar nuances depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differs marginally

Emphasizes that the difference is small and almost insignificant.

varies subtly

Highlights the delicate and not easily noticeable variation.

varies marginally

Implies a minimal degree of difference or variation.

deviates marginally

Suggests a minor departure from a standard or norm.

diverges subtly

Indicates a delicate difference in direction or characteristic.

diverges minimally

Points out the slightest degree of divergence.

fluctuates insignificantly

Describes changes that are so small they are practically without effect.

differs in nuances

Focuses on differences found at the level of subtle distinctions.

varies in detail

Emphasizes the difference is present only at the level of the detail and is not something significant.

departs incrementally

Describes a gradual departure, done in small steps.

FAQs

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

Use "differs slightly" to indicate a small degree of variation between two or more things. For example, "The recipe "differs slightly" from the original version".

What are some alternatives to "differs slightly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "varies marginally", "deviates marginally", or "diverges subtly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "differs slightly"?

Yes, "differs slightly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a small difference. Ludwig AI also confirms this usage.

What is the difference between "differs slightly" and "differs significantly"?

"Differs slightly" indicates a minor variation, while "differs significantly" suggests a substantial or important difference.