slight but considerable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight but considerable" is not correct in standard English usage.
The contradiction in terms makes it confusing, as "slight" implies something small or minor, while "considerable" suggests something significant or large. Example: "The changes in the report were slight but considerable, leading to a major impact on the final outcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Results: Dexamethasone induced slight, but considerable DNA fragmentation by itself.

Cancer Detection and Prevention

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Two other video installations have a slighter but still considerable substance.

The New Yorker

Authorities differ as to the number of species, since garter snakes show only slight differences in their scales but considerable geographic differences in coloration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many Greek compounds and derivatives have Latin equivalents with slight or considerable differentiations in meaning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tormented Hope: Nine Hypochondriac Lives by Brian Dillon 320pp, Penguin, £18.99 Charles Darwin suffered from terrible flatulence, varying from "slight" to "considerable", "baddish", "sharp" and, on bad days, "excessive".

The Guardian - Books

The dilution is especially pronounced in Kali Suci and expressed, for example, in a slight to considerable decline in Ca-, Mg- and HCO3-concentrations.

Applied Water Science

Despite the more or less constant hydrochemistry with regard to major anions and cations some springs (Gedareng, Grogol, Ngreneng) show again a slight to considerable increase in Al and Fe concentration while the others are constant with regard to these cations.

Applied Water Science

Slight, but not without charm.

The New York Times - Books

Slight but engaging (1 30).

The New York Times

His writing is slight but sinuous.

The Guardian

The effects are slight but noticeable.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a contrast between initial appearance and actual impact, consider using alternatives like "minor yet significant" or "small but impactful" for greater clarity.

Common error

Be cautious when pairing adjectives that inherently contradict each other. While contrast can be effective, conflicting terms like "slight but considerable" can confuse readers. Strive for a balance where adjectives modify rather than negate each other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight but considerable" attempts to function as a compound adjective modifying a noun, aiming to describe something with seemingly contradictory qualities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard English usage due to the contradiction in terms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slight but considerable" attempts to convey a contrast between a small initial appearance and a significant impact. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered correct in standard English due to the contradictory nature of the adjectives. While it appears in various contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias, it's better to opt for clearer alternatives like "minor yet significant" or "small but impactful" to avoid confusion. These alternatives maintain the intended contrast without the inherent contradiction, resulting in more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor yet significant

Replaces "slight" with "minor" and "considerable" with "significant" to convey a similar contrast in magnitude.

small but impactful

Uses "small" instead of "slight" and "impactful" instead of "considerable" to highlight the effect despite the initial size.

seemingly insignificant yet important

Emphasizes the initial perception of insignificance before revealing its importance.

apparently trivial but consequential

Highlights the contrast between a trivial appearance and its resulting consequences.

modest yet substantial

Replaces "slight" with "modest" and "considerable" with "substantial" to denote a difference in degree.

initially minimal but ultimately crucial

Focuses on the change from a minimal beginning to a crucial ending.

ostensibly negligible but truly meaningful

Contrasts a negligible outward appearance with genuine meaningfulness.

barely perceptible but surprisingly large

Underscores how something hardly noticeable can, surprisingly, be of great magnitude.

almost unnoticeable but surprisingly meaningful

Highlights how something nearly escaping notice can be surprisingly rich in importance.

superficially trivial but profoundly impactful

Draws contrast between a shallow, unimportant face and a deep influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "slight but considerable" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives like "minor yet significant", "small but impactful", or "seemingly insignificant yet important" to express a similar contrast with greater clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to use "slight but considerable"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "slight but considerable" is awkward due to the contradictory nature of the adjectives. It's generally better to use clearer alternatives to avoid confusing your reader.

What does "slight but considerable" imply?

The phrase attempts to convey that something might appear small or unimportant at first, but it actually has a large or significant effect. However, the inherent contradiction makes it less effective than other phrasings.

Are there contexts where "slight but considerable" is appropriate?

While technically usable, it is often better to choose alternative phrasings for clarity in most contexts. Consider if using phrases such as "minor yet significant" or "small but impactful" would better get the point across.