shrunk slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrunk slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has reduced in size to a small degree, often in relation to clothing or materials. Example: "After washing the sweater, it shrunk slightly, making it a bit tighter than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Nonetheless, the black-white pay gap has shrunk slightly.

The New York Times

These injuries first enlarged on Day 7, but then shrunk slightly by Days 14 and 28.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

There is some evidence that Mr. Trump's base of support may have shrunk slightly, though.

The New York Times

The proportion of family migrants has shrunk slightly over time (see chart).

The Economist

Surveys say that Kazaa's user base has shrunk slightly, but millions still rely on it.

The New York Times

On May 5th it said its losses had shrunk slightly, to €119m, in the six months to March.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Others in their row shrank slightly away.

The New Yorker

In 2008 the economy shrank slightly.

The Economist

Southern dialect patterns, by contrast, are "shrinking slightly," he said.

The New York Times - Books

Indeed, boards generally may even be shrinking slightly.

The New York Times

The services trade deficit shrank slightly, to 2.9 billion dollars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shrunk slightly", ensure the context provides a clear reference for what has decreased in size or amount. For example, "The company's profits shrunk slightly this quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk slightly" when the reduction is actually significant or substantial. Using a more precise term like "decreased significantly" or "halved" will provide a more accurate description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrunk slightly" functions as a verb phrase (shrunk) modified by an adverb (slightly). It indicates a past action of diminishing in size or amount to a small degree. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing changes over time or after a process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrunk slightly" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor reduction in size, quantity, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific domains. When writing, remember that it's important to use this phrase when you are trying to express a change of small magnitude. It's a versatile phrase that effectively conveys a minimal decrease without implying a substantial impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased marginally

Emphasizes a small decrease, replacing "shrunk" with a direct synonym and "slightly" with a synonym.

diminished a bit

"Diminished" replaces "shrunk", focusing on reduction, and "a bit" substitutes "slightly".

reduced marginally

Replaces "shrunk" with "reduced", maintaining the sense of small contraction, and uses "marginally" instead of "slightly".

contracted a little

"Contracted" specifies the type of reduction, and "a little" conveys the small degree.

lessened somewhat

"Lessened" replaces "shrunk" to indicate a decrease, while "somewhat" is used instead of "slightly".

eased off slightly

Emphasizes a lessening of intensity or pressure, replacing "shrunk" with "eased off".

tapered off slightly

Indicates a gradual reduction, substituting "shrunk" with "tapered off".

abated somewhat

"Abated" suggests a lessening in intensity or degree, replacing "shrunk" with a more specific term.

moderately declined

"Moderately" indicates a greater degree than "slightly", adding a stronger sense of reduction.

experienced a mild reduction

Replaces "shrunk" with a more formal phrase, indicating the type and extent of reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "shrunk slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "shrunk slightly" to describe a minor reduction in size, quantity, or extent. For example: "The black-white pay gap has "shrunk slightly"." or "The cake "shrunk slightly" from the sides of the pan after baking."

What can I say instead of "shrunk slightly"?

Alternatives to "shrunk slightly" include "decreased marginally", "diminished a bit", or "reduced marginally". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "shrunk a little" instead of "shrunk slightly"?

Yes, "shrunk a little" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "shrunk slightly". Both phrases indicate a minor reduction.

What's the difference between "shrunk slightly" and "shrunk significantly"?

"Shrunk slightly" indicates a small, often barely noticeable, reduction. "Shrunk significantly" implies a much larger and more noticeable reduction in size or amount.