is slightly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is slightly better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison between two things, indicating that one is marginally superior to the other. Example: "While both options have their merits, option A is slightly better in terms of cost-effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The employment picture is slightly better.

The New York Times

Al-Ghurabaa is slightly better known.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their overall health is slightly better.

The New York Times

("Lili von Shtupp," I suppose, is slightly better).

The New Yorker

The state's average is slightly better, at about 21percentt.

The New York Times

But I think it is slightly better in every way".

The Guardian

We think the outlook is slightly better from here.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's part of the job and the money is slightly better due to the weekend tariff.

Independent

The latest survey is slightly better than the previous one released in mid-April.

The New York Times

The unemployment rate remained at 9.5%, which is slightly better than the 9.6% economists had forecast.

Forbes

In PR measure, HC is slightly better than our method when mapped to MIPS protein complexes.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is slightly better" when you want to indicate a minor advantage or preference without exaggerating the difference. It's effective when precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "is slightly better" when the difference is substantial. Overusing it in such contexts can undermine your credibility and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is slightly better" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to qualify a subject by indicating a minor degree of improvement or preference relative to another subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct expression widely used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is slightly better" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to denote a minor advantage or preference. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency and presence across diverse sources such as news, science, and business contexts suggest its versatility. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context warrants only a slight difference, avoiding exaggeration. Alternatives like "is marginally superior" can be considered for nuanced expression. The phrase serves as a valuable tool for precise and balanced communication, enhancing clarity without overstating the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is marginally superior

Emphasizes the small degree of superiority.

is a bit improved

Highlights a small degree of improvement.

is a shade better

Indicates a very subtle difference in quality.

is negligibly better

Suggests the difference is so small it's almost insignificant.

is somewhat preferable

Highlights a preference rather than a strict difference in quality.

is a touch better

Implies a very small degree of improvement.

is faintly superior

Similar to "a shade better", but emphasizes the weakness of the superiority.

is just a little better

Directly states the small degree of improvement.

is barely better

Emphasizes how small the margin of improvement is.

is fractionally better

Highlights the minimal nature of the improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "is slightly better" to compare two options, indicating a marginal advantage. For instance, "This model "is slightly better" in terms of fuel efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "is slightly better"?

Alternatives include "is marginally superior", "is a bit improved", or "is somewhat preferable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "is slightly better" and "is a little better" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired tone and context. Slightly often suggests a more precise or measured difference.

What's the difference between "is slightly better" and "is much better"?

"Is slightly better" indicates a small difference or marginal improvement, while "is much better" suggests a significant and noticeable improvement. The terms are used to convey different magnitudes of advantage.