it seems slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a mild perception or opinion about something that appears to be the case. Example: "It seems slightly unusual for him to arrive so late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Often she seems to play down the brilliance of her dancing by refusing to extend her body into space in a way that would emphasize its beauty (although it seems slightly unfair to ask more of anyone who can do perfect-form quadruple fouette turns while fanning herself — which is like patting your head and rubbing your stomach while doing back flips).

The New York Times - Arts

Given that most of the target audience won't have been old enough to have seen The Phantom Menace during its first run at the cinema, it seems slightly bizarre that the trailer takes such a familiar tone as regards characters such as Qui-Gon Jinn and the ever-abominable Jar Jar Binks.

The Guardian - Film

It seems slightly redundant for Modern Round to have to identify its cuisine as 'American.' When a restaurant allows its customers to shoot guns while they wait for their Bud Light and order of deep fried macaroni and cheese puffs, we're pretty sure the 'American' part is implied.

Vice

"It seems slightly power mad.

Independent

But equally, it seems slightly unsatisfactory that there are various titles in circulation.

Independent

It seems slightly more likely that the image was reversed by accident.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Elaine's was fun, until it seemed slightly silly to live in other people's pasts.

The New York Times

It's a pretty impossible ambition but it seemed slightly more achievable after reading that book.

The Guardian - Books

Goettig and I had both joined the Peace Corps in 1996, when it seemed slightly anachronistic to become a volunteer.

The New Yorker

R. asked her, "So... do you have any notion of what you want to do today?" It seemed slightly studied.

The New York Times - Magazine

The piece is such a large, stand-alone, bombastic joke and it seemed slightly compromised by the strange little shop.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems slightly", consider the context. In formal writing, you might prefer "it appears somewhat". In informal settings, "it looks a bit" could be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it seems slightly" in your writing, as overuse can make your prose sound hesitant and unassertive. Vary your language by using more direct statements or alternative expressions of uncertainty like "it suggests" or "it implies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems slightly" functions as an epistemic hedge, softening a statement or observation. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness. It is used to express a subjective assessment without being overly assertive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems slightly" is a versatile phrase used to express mild uncertainty or a tentative opinion. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media sources, showing its broad applicability. When writing, remember to vary your language and consider more direct statements when appropriate. Overusing "it seems slightly" can weaken your writing, so be mindful of its impact. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, you can use "it seems slightly" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears somewhat

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "slightly" with "somewhat", offering a more formal tone but maintaining a similar degree of uncertainty.

it appears marginally

Combines "appears" and "marginally" for a more formal and precise expression of a small difference.

it seems marginally

Substitutes "slightly" with "marginally", indicating a smaller degree of difference or effect.

it looks a bit

Uses "looks" instead of "seems" and "a bit" instead of "slightly", resulting in a more informal and direct expression.

it seems a tad

Replaces "slightly" with "a tad", making the statement more colloquial.

it feels a little

Changes "seems" to "feels" and "slightly" to "a little", shifting the focus to a subjective feeling rather than an objective observation.

it seems somewhat off

Adds "off" to indicate that something appears to be not quite right or as expected.

it strikes me as somewhat

Introduces a personal perspective ("it strikes me") and uses "somewhat" to express a moderate level of uncertainty.

it comes across as a bit

Shifts the focus to how something is perceived ("comes across") and uses "a bit" for a less formal tone.

it gives a faint impression of

Offers a more descriptive alternative focusing on the impression something creates, emphasizing its subtlety.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems slightly" in a sentence?

"It seems slightly" is used to express a mild degree of uncertainty or a tentative opinion. For example: "It seems slightly unusual for him to be late" or "It seems slightly more complex than I initially thought".

What can I say instead of "it seems slightly"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears somewhat", "it looks a bit", or "it feels a little" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "it seems slightly" formal or informal?

"It seems slightly" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "it appears somewhat" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "it seems slightly" and "it seems very"?

"It seems slightly" indicates a mild degree of something, while "it seems very" indicates a high degree. For example, "it seems slightly off" suggests a small deviation, whereas "it seems very off" suggests a significant problem.