may vary slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

'may vary slightly' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about differences in measurements or details that are not significant. For example, "The size of the individual parts may vary slightly, but the overall product remains the same."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Prices here and below may vary slightly by market).

The New York Times - Sports

(Formulas rendered may vary slightly due to possible substitution within certain structural sites).

Encyclopedia Britannica

(These and other rules may vary slightly in countries outside the British Isles).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although this may vary slightly, the geographic location of the mother does not matter.

The New York Times - Science

The proportions of ingredients may vary slightly from recipe to recipe, but the preparation is quite simple.

The New York Times - Food

Go to the File menu and choose the Import option; the menus may vary slightly between Outlook and Outlook Express.

The New York Times - Tech

Though the offerings at each may vary slightly, they seem to be thought of as one family business.

The New York Times

(These steps may vary slightly depending on whether you are using the Classic view or the Category view of the Control Panel).

The New York Times - Tech

At Canada's widely scattered airports, local conditions and procedures may vary slightly, but nationwide a new set of regulations has been imposed governing every aspect of a trip from arrival at the airport entrance to takeoff.

The New York Times - Travel

The resistivity of electrode and GDL may vary slightly with temperature, but is viewed as constant approximately.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

This offline catalog remains consistent regardless of device — iOS, Android or Windows 10 — but it may vary slightly by region, depending on licensing restrictions.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may vary slightly" when you want to acknowledge minor differences without overstating their significance. It's suitable when precision is not critical, and you want to avoid being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "may vary slightly" when the differences are actually significant. It's misleading to downplay substantial variations with this phrase. Choose a more accurate descriptor if the variation impacts the outcome or decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may vary slightly" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement to acknowledge potential but minor differences. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates that there might be some variation but that it is not expected to be substantial or critical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may vary slightly" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge minor differences without exaggerating their impact. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields like science, news, and general reference, making it suitable for various writing styles. While its usage is widespread, it's essential to ensure that the degree of variation truly aligns with the term "slightly", avoiding misrepresentation of more significant differences. Remember, alternatives such as "could differ marginally" or "might diverge subtly" offer subtle shades of meaning, allowing for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could differ marginally

Replaces "may vary" with "could differ" and "slightly" with "marginally", both suggesting small differences.

might diverge subtly

Substitutes "may vary" with "might diverge" and "slightly" with "subtly", emphasizing a delicate distinction.

can fluctuate minimally

Replaces "may vary" with "can fluctuate" and "slightly" with "minimally", focusing on small variations over time.

potentially diverge a bit

Substitutes "may vary" with "potentially diverge" and "slightly" with "a bit", offering a less formal tone.

possibly deviate marginally

Replaces "may vary" with "possibly deviate" and "slightly" with "marginally", maintaining a formal nuance.

can be somewhat different

Uses a more general expression to indicate a small degree of variation.

might be a shade different

Uses a figurative expression indicating a very small difference.

could be a touch different

Similar to the above, but even more colloquial.

might show minor differences

Focuses on the existence of small discrepancies instead of variation.

can exhibit small variations

Highlights the presence of small variations rather than the possibility of variation.

FAQs

How can I use "may vary slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "may vary slightly" to indicate minor differences in measurements, details, or procedures. For instance, "The dimensions of the product "may vary slightly" due to manufacturing tolerances".

What are some alternatives to "may vary slightly"?

Alternatives include "could differ marginally", "might diverge subtly", or "can fluctuate minimally". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "may vary slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "may vary slightly" is suitable for formal writing when you need to acknowledge minor variations without emphasizing them. It is commonly used in technical documentation, reports, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "may vary slightly" and "may vary significantly"?

"May vary slightly" indicates small, inconsequential differences, while "may vary significantly" implies substantial and potentially important differences. The choice depends on the magnitude of the variation and its impact.