slight assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight assistance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of help or support provided to someone. Example: "I would appreciate any slight assistance you can offer with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Ireland, calving difficulty is subjectively scored by producers on a linear scale of 1 to 4, where 1 = no calving assistance; 2 = slight assistance (assistance by one person, without needing to use a calf puller); 3 = considerable assistance (assistance by one person using a calf puller or more than one person); 4 = veterinary assistance (including caesarean).

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is folly for him to suppose that a knowledge of the New York system will be of the slightest assistance to him.

The New Yorker

He could make the ball turn if the pitch offered the slightest assistance, particularly if it had been affected by rain.

Wikipedia

This time, the injury was slighter and no assailant was named — "I think it was the ball," Obama said — but the President needed little assistance in divining the metaphor in this latest insult to his person.

The New Yorker

The European Union has promised a slight increase in economic assistance, but has also eliminated humanitarian aid.

The New York Times

Murillo made slight mention of U.S. assistance, reflecting the Pena Nieto government's effort to distance itself from Washington's help, a contrast to the extraordinarily close relationship the previous government of President Felipe Calderon had with U.S. officials.

Los Angeles Times

If the House passes its version of the farm bill in the next week, it will ultimately have to be reconciled with the Senate version, which has a much slighter cut to nutrition assistance.

Huffington Post

The substitute struck a shot from 20 yards with the assistance of a slight deflection as Motherwell rediscovered their fighting spirit following a run of one point in eight games.

The Guardian - Sport

Restricting union organizing and collective bargaining impoverishes the majority of wage and salary workers, which drives the poorest into government assistance at the slightest economic downturn.

Huffington Post

Further, although a slight majority of participants were receiving assistance for substance abuse problems, a significant minority of participants' needs were considered to be unmet here.

Health & Justice

A Sunday at the Pool has been criticised for its political inaccuracies, bad history and slight mockery of General Romo Dallaire, courageous commander of the UN assistance mission in Rwanda.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing assistance, quantify or qualify "slight" with specific details to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what the assistance entails: "slight technical assistance", "slight financial assistance".

Common error

Avoid using "slight assistance" when the help provided is actually substantial. Overstating the impact of minor aid can undermine credibility. Ensure your language accurately reflects the level of support given.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight assistance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "slight" modifies the noun "assistance". It describes the extent or degree of help provided. Ludwig confirms the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight assistance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small degree of help or support. While not exceedingly common, it finds use across various contexts including news, science, and formal communication. The phrase is deemed correct and usable according to Ludwig. When using "slight assistance", remember to provide specific details to avoid ambiguity and ensure the help provided is accurately represented. Alternatives like "minor aid" or "minimal support" can offer similar meanings. This phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor aid

Replaces "assistance" with "aid", implying a small amount of help.

minimal support

Substitutes both "slight" and "assistance" with synonyms that convey a similar level of contribution.

small contribution

Focuses on the act of contributing in a small way, similar to offering slight help.

limited assistance

Uses "limited" to describe the extent of the assistance provided.

modest help

Emphasizes the humility and small scale of the help given.

token support

Implies the support is more symbolic than substantial.

marginal help

Suggests the help is barely enough to make a difference.

basic aid

Highlights the fundamental nature and simplicity of the assistance.

negligible aid

Indicates that the aid is so small as to be almost insignificant.

nominal assistance

Focuses on the assistance being provided in name only and not being substantial.

FAQs

What does "slight assistance" mean?

The term "slight assistance" refers to a small amount of help or support. It implies that the assistance provided is not substantial but still contributes in some way.

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

You can use "slight assistance" when you want to describe a situation where someone receives a small amount of help. For example: "I would appreciate any "slight assistance" you can offer with this project."

What are some alternatives to "slight assistance"?

You can use alternatives like "minor aid", "minimal support", or "small contribution" depending on the context.

Is "slight assistance" formal or informal?

"Slight assistance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in formal settings, consider quantifying the assistance to provide more clarity.