fall slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor decrease or decline in something, such as temperature, prices, or performance. Example: "The temperature is expected to fall slightly overnight, so be sure to dress warmly in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Home prices have tended to rise every midyear and to fall slightly every fall and winter.

The New York Times

Weekly unemployment claims fall slightly.

The New York Times

In fact, they will fall slightly.

The New York Times

The dollar may also fall slightly, thus stimulating more exports.

The New York Times

Bonobos fall slightly below the 2nd quartile, with seven modules.

Nature

Mouths fall slightly open – including mine – but nobody speaks.

The Guardian

Analysts had expected claims to fall slightly to 440,000.

The New York Times

The technician's face would fall slightly and we all knew what was going to happen.

The New York Times - Health

But new home sales fall slightly and orders for durable goods plunge.

The New York Times

That caused the state's jobless rate to fall slightly, to 14.6 percent from 14.7 percent.

The New York Times

In France, overall revenue from television rights is set to fall slightly, beginning next season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "fall slightly" to accurately portray minor decreases without exaggerating the change.

Common error

Avoid using stronger terms like "plummet" or "collapse" when the decrease is only slight. "Fall slightly" indicates a minor change, and using more dramatic language would be inaccurate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall slightly" functions as a verb phrase, where "fall" is the main verb indicating a decrease and "slightly" is an adverb modifying the verb to specify the extent of the decrease. Ludwig confirms its use in describing minor declines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall slightly" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, with a neutral tone. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating the decline with more dramatic terms. Instead, "fall slightly" offers a precise way to communicate that a decrease occurred, but the extent of the decrease was limited. Alternatives include "decrease marginally" or "drop a bit", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease marginally

Replaces "fall" with "decrease" and "slightly" with "marginally", both indicating a small reduction.

decline marginally

Substitutes "fall" with "decline" and "slightly" with "marginally", maintaining the sense of a minor reduction.

dip marginally

Uses "dip" instead of "fall" and "marginally" instead of "slightly", implying a small downward movement.

drop a bit

Replaces "fall slightly" with a more informal expression indicating a small decrease.

recede a little

Replaces "fall slightly" with an expression suggesting a slight retreat or reduction.

lessen somewhat

Substitutes "fall" with "lessen" and "slightly" with "somewhat", conveying a small reduction in intensity or amount.

diminish incrementally

Replaces "fall" with "diminish" and "slightly" with "incrementally", suggesting a gradual reduction.

contract marginally

Uses "contract" instead of "fall" and "marginally" instead of "slightly", implying a small reduction in size or scope.

ease off a little

Replaces "fall slightly" with a more colloquial expression indicating a slight decrease in pressure or intensity.

weaken somewhat

Replaces "fall" with "weaken" and "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a small decrease in strength or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall slightly" to describe a minor decrease or decline in something. For example: "The temperature is expected to fall slightly overnight" or "Sales figures fell slightly this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "fall slightly"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease marginally", "decline marginally", or "drop a bit" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "fall slightly" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly formal, it's a clear and professional way to describe a minor decrease. More formal options like "diminish incrementally" may be suitable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "fall slightly" and "decrease significantly"?

"Fall slightly" indicates a small, minor decrease, while "decrease significantly" implies a much larger and more important reduction. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change you are describing.