only slightly know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only slightly know" is not correct in standard English usage.
It can be used to express a minimal level of knowledge about a subject, but it would be more appropriate to say "know only slightly" for clarity. Example: "I only slightly know about the topic, so I may need to do more research before contributing to the discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The architects were only slightly known, but their youth was considered a plus.

The New York Times

Everyone else the narrator mentions seems to be only slightly known — a man who fixes the dehumidifier, a neighbor who once brought some cake, the librarian down the street.

The New Yorker

Scientists hope the new reflector will make possible exploration of many "island universes" beyond the Milky Way, the nearest two or three of which are now only slightly known.

The New York Times

He told me one of the qualities of South Africa only slightly known was its good wine, but that the negative image of the country tainted its wine image, unlike the Parisians.

Huffington Post

We wanted to use stuff that would be new and interesting to the existing fans who can be very hardcore and already knowledgeable of almost everything he ever did, balanced with stuff that was already familiar to the casual fan who only slightly knew his music, and also include stuff that was accessible and representative for the people who had never heard his music at all.

Huffington Post

One has the impression that Jean-Christophe Valtat is only slightly better known in France than he is in America, and is content to leave it that way.

The New Yorker

Enter Mr. Grunion--John Olguin, a Southern California institution only slightly less known than the famed racing grunion.

Los Angeles Times

Here I was, luggage-less in a town I had never been to before, and the only people I slightly knew were about to take off into the afternoon traffic.

Vice

Here I was, luggageless in a town I had never been to before, and the only people I slightly knew were about to take off into the afternoon traffic.

Vice

Mezlekia is best known for his powerful memoir of war and famine in Ethiopia, "Notes From the Hyena's Belly," and only slightly less well known for bringing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit in Canada (where he now lives) against an editor who claimed she'd written a big chunk of it and been denied credit.

The New York Times - Books

Only slightly less well known is that he was also a prolific signer of autographs.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider rephrasing "only slightly know" as "know only slightly" or using alternatives like "barely know".

Common error

Avoid placing 'only' directly before the verb 'know' when intending to modify the degree of knowledge. Instead, ensure 'only' correctly modifies 'slightly' by placing it before the adverb: "know only slightly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only slightly know" functions as an adverbial modifier attempting to describe the extent of one's knowledge. However, it's grammatically awkward and less clear than the alternative phrasing, as noted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "only slightly know" attempts to express limited familiarity, it's grammatically awkward and less clear than alternative phrasing. As Ludwig indicates, the standard and more correct form is "know only slightly". It is advisable to use alternatives like "barely know" or "have a limited understanding of", especially in formal contexts, to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Because Ludwig marked it as not correct, it should be rephrased.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not know well

Simple and direct way to express a lack of deep knowledge.

barely know

Indicates a minimal level of acquaintance or familiarity.

hardly know

Similar to 'barely know', suggesting a very limited degree of familiarity.

know only a bit

Similar to 'know a little about', emphasizing a small amount of knowledge.

know a little about

Focuses on having some, but not extensive, knowledge regarding a topic.

have a limited understanding of

Emphasizes the restricted nature of one's comprehension.

not be very familiar with

Highlights a lack of deep knowledge or experience.

have a passing acquaintance with

Suggests a casual and not very involved relationship or knowledge.

only vaguely know

Implies an imprecise or unclear understanding.

be superficially acquainted with

Indicates a shallow level of knowledge or interaction.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "only slightly know" in a sentence?

While "only slightly know" might seem intuitive, it's better to say "know only slightly". For example, "I know him only slightly" is grammatically sound.

What's a more common or grammatically correct way to express "only slightly know"?

Instead of "only slightly know", try phrases like "barely know", "hardly know", or "know a little about" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference in meaning between "only slightly know" and "know only slightly"?

Yes, "know only slightly" is the standard and grammatically correct form. "Only slightly know" is less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers. The intended meaning is the same, but the phrasing affects clarity and correctness.

Can I use "only slightly know" in formal writing?

It is best to avoid "only slightly know" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "have a limited understanding of" or "not be very familiar with" for a more professional tone.