is slightly bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is slightly bigger" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the size of two objects or entities, indicating a small difference in size. Example: "The new model of the smartphone is slightly bigger than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The miniature pump is slightly bigger than a paper clip.

Stanford University

The USB-C port is slightly bigger than a micro-USB found on phones and cameras.

Independent

That eight-point gap is slightly bigger than in 2010 (seven points) and 2004 (six points).

The Washington Post

Its land area is slightly bigger than Malta, with roughly twice the population density.

The New York Times

There's not much to choose between them – Twee is slightly bigger, Een has a bit more natural light.

Independent

So with the best will in the world, you have to think this is slightly bigger than Marsh's Instagram feed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At 5 feet 10 inches and 185 pounds, York is slightly bigger than Fleury, somewhat smaller than Graves.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the smallest speakerphones is Motorola's T305 ($80), which is slightly bigger than a Fig Newton.

The New York Times

(Samsung Electronics is slightly bigger than Apple in terms of revenue — $183.5 billion compared with $156.5 billion — but Apple is larger in terms of stock market value).

The New York Times - Tech

New York, no offense to Cleveland, is slightly bigger, and will embrace him with the kind of excitement that certainly the Knicks haven't had since Willis Reed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Change into one of his shirts that is slightly big but leave your pants on.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing sizes, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The new model is slightly bigger than the previous one."

Common error

Avoid using "is slightly bigger" when the size difference is actually significant. This can mislead your audience and diminish the accuracy of your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is slightly bigger" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a minor difference in size between two entities. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts to provide a relative size comparison. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is slightly bigger" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minor size difference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, including scientific, news, and general writing. While it maintains a neutral register, it is crucial to ensure that the size difference is indeed small to avoid misleading the audience. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "is marginally larger" may be preferable. Overall, this phrase is a reliable tool for conveying relative size comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is marginally larger

Indicates a minimal size difference, similar to the original phrase but with a different adjective.

is a tad bigger

Uses the informal "tad" to suggest a small difference in size.

is somewhat larger

Emphasizes a degree of difference that is more noticeable than "slightly".

is negligibly bigger

Highlights that the size difference is so small as to be almost insignificant.

is imperceptibly larger

Suggests the size difference is difficult to notice.

is fractionally bigger

Conveys the difference is minute and expressed as a fraction.

is a shade bigger

Employs "shade" as a metaphor for a very slight size variation.

is barely bigger

Underscores that the size difference is at the lower limit of being noticeable.

is minutely bigger

Highlights the size difference is extremely small.

is insignificantly bigger

Similar to "negligibly bigger", but emphasizes the lack of practical importance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is slightly bigger" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "is marginally larger" or "is somewhat larger". These options provide a more precise and professional feel.

What's the difference between "is slightly bigger" and "is significantly bigger"?

"Is slightly bigger" indicates a small difference in size, while "is significantly bigger" implies a much more noticeable and important difference. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the size difference.

When is it appropriate to use "is slightly bigger" in writing?

Use "is slightly bigger" when you want to convey that one object or entity is marginally larger than another, without exaggerating the difference. It is suitable for contexts where precision isn't critical but relative size matters.

What are some informal alternatives to "is slightly bigger"?

Informal alternatives include "is a tad bigger" or "is a shade bigger". These phrases are more casual and suitable for relaxed conversations or informal writing.