expand slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to making something a bit larger or more extensive, often in the context of ideas, explanations, or physical objects. Example: "To improve the presentation, I suggest we expand slightly on the main points to provide more clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

They will expand slightly and get nice and brown.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The W-League needs to stay as it is, though possibly expand slightly.

The Guardian - Sport

Air is gently pumped into the body, making it contract and expand slightly, as if laboring to breathe.

The New Yorker

"But I suspected things would not go on indefinitely as they were," he said, "and it seemed like a good time to let the whole thing expand slightly".

The New York Times - Arts

Expanding and nonshrinking cements expand slightly on hydration, thus offsetting the small contraction that occurs when fresh concrete dries for the first time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's a significant change from July, when the agency projected a downturn of only 3.75percentt and said the Greek economy would expand slightly next year.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

As a result, the gel expands slightly, but the polymer chains themselves remain intact.

Harvard University

Cheerleaders could rejoice that it has expanded slightly faster than most people had expected.

The Economist

Expanded slightly, 12 14 p.m. | As some readers know, I'm a performing songwriter in spare moments.

The New York Times

The Institute for Supply Management said on Wednesday that manufacturing in the United States expanded slightly in December.

The New York Times

He said he thought the ball expanded slightly at the altitude and felt slick because of the lower humidity.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand slightly" when you want to convey a small, almost imperceptible increase in size, scope, or quantity. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific, technical, or economic contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "expand slightly" when the increase is significant or substantial. If the expansion is considerable, opt for phrases like "expand significantly" or "increase greatly" to more accurately reflect the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand slightly" functions as a verb phrase, where "expand" is the main verb and "slightly" is an adverb modifying the verb. It indicates the action of increasing in size or scope to a small degree, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

26%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand slightly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing a minor increase or enlargement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of growing or increasing in scope to a small degree. For situations requiring alternative phrasing, options like "grow a little", "increase marginally", or "extend somewhat" can be considered. It's important to ensure that the use of "expand slightly" accurately reflects the magnitude of change being described, avoiding overstatement for significant expansions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow a little

Indicates a small increase in size or extent.

increase marginally

Focuses on a small degree of increase.

enlarge marginally

Highlights a small increase in size.

extend somewhat

Suggests a limited increase in length or scope.

broaden slightly

Emphasizes a small expansion in scope or range.

develop a bit

Focuses on a minor degree of development or progression.

swell a little

Implies a small increase in volume or size, often used for physical objects.

inflate marginally

Suggests a slight increase in size or volume, often due to internal pressure.

widen somewhat

Highlights a limited increase in width.

stretch a little

Suggests a slight increase in length or area through tension.

FAQs

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

You can use "expand slightly" to describe a minor increase in size, scope, or amount. For example, "The company plans to "grow a little" next quarter," or "The universe continues to "increase marginally"."

What are some alternatives to "expand slightly"?

Alternatives include "grow a little", "increase marginally", "extend somewhat", or "broaden slightly". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "expand slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "expand slightly" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing small changes in a precise manner. It's commonly found in scientific reports, economic analyses, and technical documents.

What's the difference between "expand slightly" and "expand significantly"?

"Expand slightly" indicates a small, almost imperceptible change, while "expand significantly" suggests a much larger, more noticeable change. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the expansion being described.