is slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small degree or amount of something, often in a comparative context. Example: "The weather is slightly warmer today than it was yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chewie is slightly different".

The New York Times

Periscope is slightly different.

The New Yorker

Which is slightly disingenuous.

The New York Times

That is slightly unfair.

The New Yorker

This is slightly odd.

Independent

Nicholas is slightly irritated.

Independent

This is slightly unfair.

Independent

His voice is slightly nasal.

The New Yorker

The head is slightly turned.

Independent

Her brain is slightly dulled.

The New York Times

Bieber's tale is slightly different.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is slightly" to introduce a nuanced comparison or to soften a statement that might otherwise seem too absolute. This can make your writing more persuasive and less confrontational.

Common error

While "is slightly" is versatile, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise language to convey your meaning with greater confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a small degree or extent. It modifies adjectives or verbs to soften or qualify a statement, making it less absolute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is slightly" serves as a versatile tool in the English language, enabling speakers and writers to express nuanced observations with a moderate degree of difference or quality. As verified by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts – particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science – underscore its utility. When using "is slightly", remember to consider its impact on the overall tone and precision of your message; while useful, overuse can dilute your writing's impact. Alternatives such as "is marginally" or "is somewhat" can provide similar nuance, depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is marginally

Indicates a change or difference that is small and often not very important.

is somewhat

Suggests a moderate degree or extent, similar to "is slightly".

is a little

Implies a small amount or degree of something.

is a bit

Informal way of saying something is to a small extent.

is just a touch

Emphasizes the smallness of the degree or amount.

is barely

Indicates that something is only just the case or is only just happening.

is almost imperceptible

Highlights that something is very difficult to notice or detect.

is subtly

Suggests that something is done or exists in a delicate or understated way.

is not quite

Indicates that something is close to being something else, but not fully.

is only just

Highlights that something is achieved or happens by a narrow margin.

FAQs

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

Use "is slightly" to indicate a small degree or difference. For example, "The soup "is slightly too salty"" means it's not overwhelmingly salty, but noticeably so.

What can I say instead of "is slightly"?

You can use alternatives like "is somewhat", "is a little", or "is marginally" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is slightly better" or "is a slightly better"?

"Is slightly better" is correct. The indefinite article "a" is not needed before "slightly" because "slightly" is an adverb modifying the adjective "better".

What's the difference between "is slightly" and "is somewhat"?

Both "is slightly" and "is somewhat" indicate a moderate degree, but "is slightly" suggests a smaller degree than "is somewhat". The choice depends on the level of nuance you want to convey.