improved slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improved slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a minor enhancement or positive change in a situation, performance, or condition. Example: "The team's performance improved slightly after implementing the new training program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My process has improved slightly.

The New Yorker

Business has since improved, slightly.

The Economist

Material conditions improved slightly during the 1970s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Things improved slightly, but not for long.

The New Yorker

Her financial outlook has since improved slightly.

The New York Times

Regents test scores also improved slightly.

The New York Times

Slowly, van Dongen's condition improved slightly.

The Guardian

Torque has also been improved slightly.

The New York Times

The patients' scores on mental tests improved slightly as well.

The New York Times - Health

Auto sales, while extremely weak, improved slightly in February.

The New York Times

Ties have improved slightly under Singh, but remain frosty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improved slightly", ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. This helps the reader understand the significance of the improvement, even if it's minor.

Common error

Avoid using "improved slightly" when the change is actually significant. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement. Instead, use phrases like "improved significantly" or "improved considerably" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improved slightly" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverbial phrase, indicating the degree to which something has improved. This is confirmed by Ludwig and its examples, showing it modifying verbs to denote a minor positive change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Unknown

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improved slightly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a minor positive change. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it's suitable for formal writing, consider using synonyms like "modestly ameliorated" for a more sophisticated tone. The key is to ensure that the degree of improvement aligns with the context to avoid misleading the reader. Remember, it's a reliable way to communicate a small positive shift, as long as the change is indeed minor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a small improvement

This is a more direct and literal alternative, clearly stating that a small improvement was made.

marginally enhanced

This phrase replaces "improved" with "enhanced" and "slightly" with "marginally", emphasizing a small degree of positive change.

somewhat bettered

This uses "bettered" as a synonym for "improved" and "somewhat" for "slightly", offering a slightly different phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

progressed marginally

Replacing "improved" with "progressed" shifts the focus to the process of improvement, while "marginally" keeps the degree of change small.

modestly ameliorated

Using "ameliorated" instead of "improved" and "modestly" instead of "slightly" creates a more formal and sophisticated tone, still indicating a small positive change.

enhanced a bit

This phrase replaces "slightly" with the more informal "a bit", making the sentence sound more casual.

recovered incrementally

This suggests a gradual recovery process, with "incrementally" indicating a small degree of change.

advanced gradually

Using "advanced" instead of "improved" and "gradually" instead of "slightly" indicates a slow and steady positive change.

enhanced to a small extent

This is a more descriptive alternative, replacing "slightly" with "to a small extent" to emphasize the limited degree of improvement.

picked up a little

This is an informal way of saying something has "improved slightly", suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "improved slightly" to describe a situation, condition, or performance that has gotten a little better. For example, "Her health "improved slightly" after starting the new medication."

What are some alternatives to "improved slightly"?

Alternatives include "marginally enhanced", "modestly ameliorated", or "somewhat bettered", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it acceptable to use "improved slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "improved slightly" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "modestly ameliorated" if appropriate for the tone.

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

"Improved slightly" indicates a minor positive change, while "improved significantly" suggests a substantial and noticeable enhancement. The choice depends on the actual degree of improvement.