slight adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight adjustment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a slight change that needs to be made to something. For example, "We need to make a slight adjustment to the temperature in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I simply wanted a slight adjustment.

Los Angeles Times

The later method can thus be seen as a slight adjustment of the CLFS estimation technique introduced previously by Klein et al. [ 11, 12].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The idea is that by securing even a slight adjustment in the language, the Senate will have to send the bill back to the House of Representatives for reconsideration.

Huffington Post

After the boundary initiation using Canny edge algorithm, a slight adjustment can be made to seek the actual boundary which will be implemented by a Hopfield neural network with the cost function.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

So a slight adjustment was called for last week, when the Ford Motor Company staged a race, of sorts, on the major arteries leading into Manhattan, for the purpose of determining which route was most congested during the morning commute.

The New Yorker

Slight adjustment was made to the dNTP (deoxynucleotide triphosphate) contents in the PCR mixture, to maintain the dATP concentration within adequate limits for reaction efficiency and fidelity during PCR.

British Journal of Cancer

Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Plant Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol, but with a slight adjustment in volume of buffer AP1 (600 μL instead of 400 μL).

Applications in Plant Sciences

It is also important to note that the improvement of ON/OFF ratio after slight adjustment in Ar/O2 ratio or post-annealing treatment seems more obvious in VCM than ECM devices.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Then, we make a slight adjustment on M, N, T, and S with M ∗ N ∗ T ∗ S approximately at 150,000.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

"It was a very, very slight adjustment," Mr. Schur said.

The New York Times - Arts

The full-backs will need to make a slight adjustment to the way they usually play.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight adjustment" when you want to emphasize that a change is small and doesn't significantly alter the overall result or situation. For example, "We made a "slight adjustment" to the recipe to enhance the flavor."

Common error

Avoid using "slight adjustment" when the change is actually significant or has a major impact. Using the phrase in such contexts can downplay the importance of the change and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight adjustment" functions as a noun phrase where "slight" modifies the noun "adjustment". It typically indicates a minor modification or alteration, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight adjustment" is a common and versatile term used to describe a minor modification or alteration. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various domains, including news, science, and business. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the adjustment is indeed minor, avoiding overstatements that could mislead the audience. Alternatives such as "minor tweak" or "small correction" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context. The widespread usage and clear meaning of "slight adjustment" make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor tweak

Emphasizes a very small and often quick change.

small correction

Highlights fixing an error or inaccuracy with a minimal change.

subtle modification

Focuses on the discreet nature of the change.

gentle shift

Suggests a gradual and smooth change.

fine-tuning

Implies making precise adjustments for optimal performance.

minimal alteration

Highlights the small degree of change involved.

marginal refinement

Indicates a slight improvement or enhancement.

tactical adaptation

Suggests an strategic approach to a small change.

nuanced revision

Emphasizes the subtle and detailed nature of the change.

delicate calibration

Implies a precise and careful adjustment process.

FAQs

How can I use "slight adjustment" in a sentence?

You can use "slight adjustment" to describe a small change made to something. For instance, "The engineer made a "minor tweak" to the design to improve its efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "slight adjustment"?

Alternatives include "minor tweak", "small correction", or "subtle modification". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "slight adjustment" formal or informal?

"Slight adjustment" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, as it is a commonly used and widely understood phrase.

What's the difference between "slight adjustment" and "major overhaul"?

"Slight adjustment" refers to a small, often insignificant change, while "major overhaul" implies a complete and substantial transformation. If the change is minimal, "slight adjustment" is correct; if extensive, use "major overhaul".