just a tad longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a tad longer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small amount of additional time or length needed for something. Example: "If you could hold on just a tad longer, I will have the information ready for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This year, Ford has milked 25 more horsepower out of the 4.9-liter block, raising the total to 225, and 0-60 acceleratakestakes just a tad longer than 6 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

If you are worried about food poisoning, you may boil for just a tad longer than specified.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was extra hitting, and the shoulder pads stayed on a tad longer.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems Nico Rosberg's stop was a tad longer because of traffic in the pit lane.

BBC

It feels a tad longer".

Los Angeles Times

Want to extend your immersion in the Fox Theater's classic Hollywood opulence a tad longer?

Huffington Post

Normally, men's ring fingers are a tad longer, and women's index fingers are a tiny bit longer.

Huffington Post

The controversy that ensued (mostly among docs) prompted him to back peddle just a tad in a longer piece he wrote last December called: Data-driven healthcare won't replace physicians entirely, but it will help those receptive to technology perform their jobs better (here).

Forbes

Also just a tad irritating.

The New York Times

This is just a tad overwrought.

The Economist

Isn't that just a tad kitschy?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just a tad longer" when you want to indicate a minimal increase in duration or length, avoiding overly precise or technical language. For example, "Could you please wait just a tad longer?"

Common error

Avoid using "just a tad longer" in highly formal or professional settings where a more precise term like "slightly longer" or "marginally longer" would be more appropriate. For example, in a scientific report, "marginally longer" is preferred over "just a tad longer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a tad longer" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It describes the degree or extent of an action or quality, indicating a small increase in time or length. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just a tad longer" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that indicates a slight increase in time or length. It's considered informal and is frequently used in news, media, and general conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's best to use in casual settings, opting for more precise language in formal contexts. While "just a tad longer" may not be as common as other similar expressions, such as "slightly longer" or "a little longer", it effectively conveys a sense of minimal difference and is suitable for softening requests or describing minor deviations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly longer

Replaces "just a tad" with "slightly", maintaining a similar degree of difference.

a little longer

Uses "a little" instead of "just a tad", indicating a small increment in time.

a bit longer

Substitutes "just a tad" with "a bit", conveying a similar degree of increase.

somewhat longer

Replaces "just a tad" with "somewhat", offering a slightly more formal tone.

marginally longer

Uses "marginally" to indicate a small degree of increase, sounding more precise.

barely longer

Suggests the increase in time or length is minimal and hardly noticeable.

ever so slightly longer

Emphasizes the minimal increase in time or length.

a shade longer

Uses "a shade" to indicate a very slight difference in length or duration.

a touch longer

Substitutes "just a tad" with "a touch", implying a delicate or subtle increase.

fractionally longer

Conveys the difference in length is very small and measurable.

FAQs

What does "just a tad longer" mean?

The phrase "just a tad longer" means a little bit more time or length is needed. It indicates a small increment.

What can I say instead of "just a tad longer"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly longer", "a little longer", or "a bit longer" depending on the context.

Is "just a tad longer" formal or informal?

The phrase "just a tad longer" is considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or writing. For formal contexts, consider using "slightly longer" or "marginally longer".

How to use "just a tad longer" in a sentence?

You can use "just a tad longer" in a sentence like, "Could you wait "just a tad longer" while I finish this task?" or "The process took "just a tad longer" than we anticipated."