even slighter than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even slighter than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, indicating that one is to a lesser degree than the other. Example: "The difference in their heights was even slighter than I had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She is even slighter than he is, a pretty wood sprite in running shoes.

The New York Times - Magazine

In Korea, she's a forthright, talented, beautiful woman, but here, at least outside this apartment, she is a woman who appears even slighter than she already is, a woman who smiles quickly but never widely, a foreigner whose English comes out self-throttled, barely voiced, who is listening to herself to the point of a whisper.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The concept is slight, the payoff even slighter.

The New York Times

The difference here is even slighter.

Harvard University

When you're old, it turns out, even slight over-indulgence can have consequences more serious than a bout of indigestion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Alternatively, QT dispersion, QTc dispersion and Tpeak-Tend may be more sensitive than QTc interval for detecting even slight abnormalities in repolarization.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Even slight tremors could trigger weeping flashbacks.

The New Yorker

Significant savings are possible with even slight changes in rates.

The New York Times

There's apprehension, even slight confusion. .

Vice

Do even slight differences in treatment affect children?

Huffington Post

Even slight shifts in temperatures can alter their distribution patterns.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even slighter than", ensure the comparison is clear and the entities being compared are explicitly stated for better clarity. For example, "His advantage was even slighter than anticipated".

Common error

Avoid using "even slighter than" when there is no direct comparison being made. For instance, do not say "The problem was even slighter than before" if you have not established what 'before' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even slighter than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to emphasize that something is to a lesser degree than something else, building upon the concept of 'slightness' to denote an even smaller difference. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even slighter than" is a grammatically sound and usable comparative phrase that highlights a minimal difference between two entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to emphasize that something is to a lesser extent than something else. While considered relatively rare, its usage spans across news, academic, and scientific contexts, lending itself to formal and descriptive writing. When using "even slighter than", it's important to ensure clear comparisons and avoid using it in non-comparative situations. Alternatives include "marginally less than" or "imperceptibly smaller than" for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even less significant than

Emphasizes a lower level of importance or impact than something else.

even a smaller amount than

Focuses on a reduced quantity or degree compared to a reference point.

even a tinier degree than

Highlights a very small difference in magnitude.

a touch smaller than

Uses 'touch' to signify a minimal difference in size or quantity.

even a shade less than

Uses 'shade' to describe a very slight difference.

ever so slightly less than

Implies a subtle and almost imperceptible degree of reduction.

to a lesser extent than

Focuses on comparison of the degree of something.

considerably less than

Focuses on the amount of difference and emphasizes that the difference is noticeable.

somewhat smaller than

Emphasizes the diminutive size or scale compared to another item.

not quite as much as

Emphasizes the lack of equality in quantity or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "even slighter than" in a sentence?

Use "even slighter than" to compare two things, highlighting that one is marginally less or smaller than the other. For example: "The difference in their performance was "even slighter than" last time".

What's a formal alternative to "even slighter than"?

In formal contexts, consider using "marginally less than" or "imperceptibly smaller than" as alternatives to "even slighter than".

Which is correct, "even slighter than" or "even more slight than"?

"Even slighter than" is the preferred and more concise phrasing. "Even more slight than" is grammatically awkward; it's better to use "even slighter than" for clarity.

What is the difference between "slightly less than" and "even slighter than"?

"Slightly less than" indicates a small difference. "Even slighter than" implies an emphasis on the smallness of the difference, suggesting it's smaller than a previous comparison or expectation. So, "even slighter than" suggests a smaller margin than "slightly less than".