has dropped slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has dropped slightly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to show that an amount or value has decreased by a small amount. For example, "Sales of the new product have dropped slightly this month compared to last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The rate has dropped slightly since then.

The New York Times

Some recent data suggest that sugary drink consumption has dropped slightly.

Stanford University

The share of people paying no federal income tax has dropped slightly the past two years.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, the number has dropped slightly among Republicans, from 46percentto41percentcent.

The Washington Post

Over all, crime has dropped slightly in several major categories, according to Police Department statistics.

The New York Times

"That has dropped slightly now, and the quality has improved significantly," she says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The prices have dropped slightly since the shop opened last month.

The New York Times - Food

"Lately, they have dropped slightly below" what the chain expected to sell, she added.

The New York Times - Style

He was sold on his son's efforts to buy when he found that Manhattan prices had dropped slightly.

The New York Times

By now, prices had dropped slightly — "enough to make us comfortable," he said — so they paid a return visit.

The New York Times

The numbers for white players have dropped slightly, to 47 percent, from 51 for those same years.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has dropped slightly", ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. For example, specify what the subject has dropped from, such as "Sales have dropped slightly compared to last quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "has dropped slightly" when the decrease is actually substantial. This phrase indicates a minor change; using it for a significant reduction can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has dropped slightly" functions as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates a state of change, specifically a minor decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It tells us about the degree to which something has fallen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has dropped slightly" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a minor reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the phrase is commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the magnitude of the change aligns with the word "slightly". Consider alternatives like "has decreased marginally" or "has fallen a bit" depending on the desired tone and level of formality. Remember to avoid overstating the significance of the drop and be precise in your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has decreased marginally

Replaces "dropped" with "decreased" and "slightly" with "marginally", both indicating a small reduction.

has fallen a bit

Uses "fallen" instead of "dropped" and "a bit" to replace "slightly", offering a more informal tone.

has declined modestly

Substitutes "dropped" with "declined" and "slightly" with "modestly", maintaining a formal register.

has reduced incrementally

Replaces "dropped" with "reduced" and "slightly" with "incrementally", emphasizing a gradual decrease.

has diminished subtly

Employs "diminished" instead of "dropped" and "subtly" to replace "slightly", highlighting an almost imperceptible reduction.

has lessened minimally

Uses "lessened" for "dropped" and "minimally" for "slightly", conveying a very small decrease.

has eased off a little

Offers a more colloquial alternative, replacing "dropped slightly" with "eased off a little".

has softened slightly

Replaces "dropped" with "softened", suggesting a slight decrease in intensity or impact.

has receded fractionally

Substitutes "dropped" with "receded" and "slightly" with "fractionally", indicating a very small retreat or decrease.

has tapered off marginally

Uses "tapered off" for "dropped" and "marginally" for "slightly", suggesting a gradual decrease to a smaller amount.

FAQs

How can I use "has dropped slightly" in a sentence?

Use "has dropped slightly" to indicate a minor decrease in something. For instance, "The temperature has dropped slightly overnight" or "The company's stock price has dropped slightly after the announcement".

What are some alternatives to "has dropped slightly"?

You can use alternatives like "has decreased marginally", "has fallen a bit", or "has declined modestly" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "has dropped slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "has dropped slightly" is suitable for formal writing, but consider more precise alternatives like "has diminished subtly" or "has receded fractionally" if a higher level of formality is required. Always ensure the context warrants the level of decrease implied by the phrase.

What's the difference between "has dropped slightly" and "has dropped significantly"?

"Has dropped slightly" indicates a minor reduction, while "has dropped significantly" suggests a substantial decrease. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you are describing. Make sure to pick the phrase that more precisely matches the scenario.