more than slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than slightly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is more than just a little bit, but by how much is left up to the reader's interpretation. For example, "My enthusiasm for the project was more than slightly dampened by the bureaucratic red tape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, Lego has opened up more than slightly.

The New York Times

They suddenly look sad — deflated, more than slightly absurd.

The New Yorker

My son looked bashfully excited, and more than slightly overwhelmed.

The New Yorker

All more than slightly frustrating and, if I'm honest, disappointing.

The Guardian

But his pride is more than slightly ruffled.

The New York Times

The effect is enigmatic, elusive and more than slightly creepy.

The New York Times - Arts

But horses are beyond my experience, and I'm more than slightly nervous at the prospect.

The Guardian - Travel

Savarova, impersonated by Baclanova, is more than slightly interested in Paurel herself.

The New York Times

But as it stands it is more than slightly tedious, especially the blurred voices.

The New York Times

"I'm more than slightly stubborn about things that are important to me".

The Guardian - Books

For a country like Australia, it seems more than slightly anachronistic and very, very comic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than slightly" to express a degree of something that is noticeable but not overwhelming. It adds nuance and avoids overstatement.

Common error

Avoid using "more than slightly" too frequently in your writing. While it's a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or more descriptive phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective or verb it modifies. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a degree that is noticeable but not extreme, adding a touch of understatement or nuance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than slightly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a degree greater than 'slightly' without being overly strong. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's prevalent in news and media, conveying feelings, describing qualities, and assessing situations with a neutral tone. While useful, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "somewhat" or "moderately" for variety. Remember to use "more than slightly" to add nuance and avoid overstatement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat

This alternative is simpler and more direct.

quite

This alternative conveys a similar degree but sounds more concise.

rather

This alternative is a bit more informal than the original.

noticeably

This alternative suggests something is easily observed.

moderately

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a measured degree.

considerably

This alternative indicates a larger degree than "more than slightly".

significantly

This alternative implies a clearer and more considerable difference.

distinctly

This alternative indicates a perceivable difference, more pronounced than slightly.

markedly

This alternative indicates a clear and distinct difference.

appreciably

This alternative suggests that something is noticeably or measurably more.

FAQs

How can I use "more than slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "more than slightly" to indicate that something is somewhat more than just a little. For example, "I was "more than slightly annoyed" by the delay".

What's the difference between "slightly" and "more than slightly"?

"Slightly" means to a small degree, while "more than slightly" suggests a degree that is noticeably greater than a small amount. It implies a more significant impact or feeling.

What can I say instead of "more than slightly"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat", "rather", or "moderately" depending on the context. These alternatives convey a similar meaning of something being more than just a little bit.

Is "more than slightly" formal or informal?

"More than slightly" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in neutral or slightly informal writing. In highly formal writing, you might prefer a more precise or stronger term.