modified subtly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modified subtly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a change or adjustment that is not immediately obvious or is done in a delicate manner. Example: "The design of the website was modified subtly to enhance user experience without altering its overall aesthetic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Highlighting these dependencies is critical in understanding how disease risk can be modified subtly by a hidden variable and can explain why different epidemiological studies can report different conclusions based on viewing a single variable [17].

Plosone

That is, forelimb foot slips may suggest visuospatial processing deficits, such as difficulty in planning forepaw placement as well as difficulty updating movements as the step progressed (i.e., as the mouse moved forward the initial planned step has to be modified subtly and an inability to do so results in a foot slip).

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The basic apposition design is often modified either subtly or radically in accordance with the lifestyles of particular organisms (see Nilsson 1989).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The same tropes are bound to recur, subtly modified, as similar problems bring forth similar solutions.

The Guardian - Film

A full circle followed and was eventually modified into a subtly horizontal oval to suggest forward movement.

The New York Times - Sports

The Hebrew texts in particular feature what have been called "key-words," words or phrases repeated and subtly modified in a passage, as a kind of threaded meaning.

The New Yorker

The political system is based on the Westminster model inherited from Britain, but subtly modified to prevent the emergence of a serious opposition party.

The Economist

This understanding was subtly modified by Thoreau's mentor, Emerson, who agreed that the world was a manifestation of spirit — "Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact," he wrote — but believed natural facts had only a latent meaning until they were perceived by a human observer.

The New Yorker

Sumerian in origin, Mesopotamian religion was added to and subtly modified by the Akkadians (Semites who emigrated into Mesopotamia from the west at the end of the 4th millennium bce), whose own beliefs were in large measure assimilated to, and integrated with, those of their new environment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To do that, we notice that some of the definitions involved in the last theorem were subtly modified in [17] in the following sense.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

In the above test when cutting and pasting from an HTML page into WordPad you'll notice that the accounts are subtly modified in each case while leaving the beginning of the address unchanged.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modified subtly", ensure the context clearly indicates what was modified and the nature of the subtlety. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "modified subtly" when the change is actually quite significant or obvious. Using it in such cases undermines your credibility and misrepresents the extent of the modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modified subtly" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which something has been changed. It indicates that the modification was done in a way that is delicate, understated, or not immediately obvious. As Ludwig AI says, it describes a change or adjustment that is not immediately obvious or is done in a delicate manner.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modified subtly" serves to communicate that a change has occurred in a discreet or minor way. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes a change or adjustment that isn't immediately obvious. Its grammatical structure and usage are correct, fitting into neutral to formal registers, especially in Science and News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context illuminates what has been modified and the nuance of the subtlety to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "slightly altered" or "minutely adjusted" may offer subtle variations in emphasis. Keep in mind that overstating the subtlety can damage the writer's credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly altered

Emphasizes a small degree of change, focusing on the alteration aspect.

minutely adjusted

Highlights the precision and small scale of the adjustment.

imperceptibly changed

Focuses on the difficulty in noticing the change.

delicately adjusted

Implies care and precision in making the adjustment.

marginally amended

Suggests a small and limited modification.

somewhat revised

Indicates a degree of review and alteration.

altered incrementally

Stresses the gradual nature of the alteration.

changed insignificantly

Highlights the lack of significant impact from the change.

slightly tweaked

Suggests a minor adjustment for improvement.

changed marginally

Highlights the small degree of the change made.

FAQs

How can I use "modified subtly" in a sentence?

You can use "modified subtly" to describe a change that is not immediately obvious or is done in a delicate manner. For example, "The algorithm was "modified subtly" to improve performance without drastically altering its core function."

What are some alternatives to "modified subtly"?

Some alternatives include "slightly altered", "minutely adjusted", or "imperceptibly changed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "modified subtly" or "slightly modified"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "modified subtly" emphasizes the manner of modification (i.e., with subtlety), while "slightly modified" emphasizes the degree of modification (i.e., a slight change).

Can "modified subtly" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "modified subtly" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision and accuracy are important. Its use can add a layer of nuance to descriptions of changes or adjustments.