more slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

'more slightly' is not correct and should not be used in written English
Instead, you can use 'slightly more'. For example: "Their prices are slightly more expensive than their competitors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

More slightly comic guitar heroics from the former Darkness man.

The Guardian

Just people shouting stuff – not lairy, more slightly disjointed.

The Guardian

You can't imagine them actually rousing a rabble, more slightly prodding the rabble.

The Guardian - Music

More slightly outdated fashions were available at the A.P.C. surplus store in Montmartre.

The New York Times - Travel

Inman thought we needed fewer spies and more slightly batty geniuses.

The New Yorker

Still, it made more slightly more money because of the high price for the Beckmann.

The New York Times

If a giant such as North can be felled, the past year has been a concern for the more slightly built Sexton.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They would extend Medicaid (health insurance for the poor) to include more, slightly-better-off people.

The Economist

Slightly more dirty, slightly more Japanese.

Vice

Only slightly more tacky.

Independent

Marc Webb had slightly more luck.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in your writing, prioritize grammatical accuracy. Using "slightly more" instead of "more slightly" ensures clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid placing "more" before "slightly" as it violates standard English grammar rules. This can lead to confusion and detract from your message. Always use "slightly more."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, intending to modify a comparative adjective or adverb. However, it violates standard English word order, making it grammatically incorrect as per Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "more slightly" appears frequently in various sources, including news and scientific publications, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and preferred alternative is "slightly more". This ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances clarity in your writing. While the phrase attempts to express a small degree of increase, its incorrect structure detracts from its effectiveness. Therefore, always opt for "slightly more" or other similar alternatives like "a bit more" or "somewhat more" to maintain a professional and grammatically sound writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more

Reverses the order of the words to correct the grammar. This is the most direct and semantically similar alternative.

a bit more

Replaces "slightly" with "a bit" to provide a less formal but grammatically sound alternative.

somewhat more

Uses "somewhat" as a slightly more formal substitute for "slightly".

marginally more

Emphasizes the small degree of difference, using "marginally" to indicate a slight increase.

just a little more

Provides a more conversational and informal alternative.

barely more

Emphasizes the smallness of the increase.

fractionally more

Uses "fractionally" to highlight a very small increase.

ever so slightly more

Adds emphasis to the minimal nature of the increase with the idiom "ever so slightly".

a shade more

Uses "a shade" to suggest a minimal increment.

minutely more

Highlights the minute nature of the increase.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "more slightly"?

The correct phrase is "slightly more". The reverse word order, "more slightly", is considered grammatically incorrect.

Can I use "more slightly" in formal writing?

No, avoid using "more slightly" in formal writing. Opt for the grammatically correct "slightly more" to maintain a professional tone.

Are there other ways to express a small increase besides "slightly more"?

Yes, alternatives include "a bit more", "somewhat more", or "marginally more", depending on the context.

Is "more slightly" ever acceptable?

While "more slightly" appears in some publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Sticking to "slightly more" is recommended for clarity and correctness.