seem slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seem slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a perception or impression that something appears to be a little bit different from what is expected or usual. Example: "The results of the experiment seem slightly off from what we anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You seem slightly paranoid about the media.

The Guardian - Music

It might seem slightly left-field.

The Guardian - Music

Resistance has come to seem slightly perverse.

The Guardian - Opinion

It all does seem slightly surreal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The people listening seem slightly less psyched.

The New Yorker

Some are common-sense rules; others may seem slightly bizarre.

The New York Times

But yeah, suddenly it does seem slightly surprising".

The Guardian - Books

If anything people seem slightly flattered by all the attention".

The Guardian

These concerns seem slightly trivial, though, and for good reason.

The Guardian - Sport

Chief executives seem slightly less sanguine about such spending.

The New York Times

Where'd it go?" Some of the games seem slightly perverse.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem slightly" when you want to express a mild or tentative observation. It's perfect for softening a statement and avoiding strong assertions.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of qualifiers like "slightly" as it can make your writing sound hesitant or unsure. Strive for a balance between precision and confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the verb "seem" to indicate a tentative or mild observation. It expresses a degree of uncertainty or subtlety in perception. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase is used to qualify observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem slightly" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express a mild or tentative observation. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, highlighting its frequency in news, science, and business contexts. Its function is to soften statements, conveying a sense of nuance and politeness. While alternatives like "appear somewhat" or "look a little" exist, "seem slightly" strikes a balance between formality and casualness. Remember to avoid overusing qualifiers to maintain clarity and confidence in your writing. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively use "seem slightly" to enhance the precision and subtlety of your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear somewhat

Indicates a degree of appearing, but slightly more formal.

seem a bit

More casual and conversational alternative.

appear a bit

Slightly less formal than "appear somewhat".

look a little

More informal way of saying something appears in a certain way.

appear marginally

More formal and emphasizes a small degree of difference.

seem marginally

Slightly more formal than "seem a bit" and focuses on small differences.

feel somewhat

Focuses on the feeling or impression given.

look marginally

Emphasis on visual impression with a small degree of difference.

appear subtly

Highlights the subtlety of the appearance.

look subtly

Highlights the subtlety of the visual impression.

FAQs

How to use "seem slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "seem slightly" to express a mild observation or impression, such as "The results "seem slightly off" from what we expected" or "He "seemed slightly annoyed" by the interruption".

What can I say instead of "seem slightly"?

Alternatives include "appear somewhat", "look a little", or "seem a bit", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "seem slightly"?

Yes, "seem slightly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a mild or subtle impression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reliable sources.

What's the difference between "seem slightly" and "seem very"?

"Seem slightly" indicates a small degree or subtle impression, while "seem very" suggests a stronger, more noticeable impression. The choice depends on the degree of certainty and emphasis you want to convey.