slight depth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight depth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or subtle level of depth in various contexts, such as art, design, or physical measurements. Example: "The painting has a slight depth that adds to its overall appeal, making it more engaging to the viewer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Oth (2013) found a slight depth dependence of stress drop for all of Japan, and his result was different from ours.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

The phengite eclogite layer was not identified with the method of traditional K-means clustering in the depth Section 1728.3 1730.7 miles, and there were several slight depth errors in the rock transition section.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

After Publius Crassus crossed over to these people and saw that the metals were being dug from only a slight depth, and that the men there were peaceable, he forthwith laid abundant information before all who wished to traffic over this sea, albeit a wider sea than that which separates Britain from the continent.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She says that Lillian Ross is not to be trusted because she never quotes Shawn as saying "anything of even the slightest depth, wit or interest -- on any subject".

The New York Times - Books

If that problem is mostly avoided here, it is at a slight cost to depth and texture.

The New York Times

Even so, DeMerit has had to compensate for a slight distortion in depth perception — a retinal signaling phenomenon known as the Pulfrich effect — which is most noticeable during night games and when it snows.

The New York Times - Sports

Nickel concentrations show a slight decrease with depth.

Geochemical Transactions

The viewer's brain interprets the slight differences as depth, just like it does in real life.

Forbes

These values generally agree with the four measured values reported in this study and show a slight increase with depth.

Earth, Planets and Space

This increase was followed by slight decrease with depth in the hypolimnion to 165 ± 17 nM just above the bottom (38.5 m).

Geochemical Transactions

As seen in Figure  2b, the overall false positive rate for all callers is generally less than 0.03, with only a slight dependence on depth.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like emotional or intellectual "depth", use "slight depth" to indicate a superficial or undeveloped level.

Common error

Avoid using "slight depth" when you intend to convey richness or complexity. "Slight depth" often implies a lack of substance or superficiality. Instead, use words like "considerable depth" or "profound understanding" to express thoroughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight depth" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it correctly describes something having a limited or minimal dimension of depth, whether physical or abstract, serving to qualify the extent of that depth. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts such as describing variations in measurements or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

22%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slight depth" is grammatically sound, although rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI indicates it's correctly used to describe something possessing a minimal level of depth across diverse contexts such as science, news, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of substantial depth. As Ludwig suggests, alternative phrases like "shallow depth" or "minimal depth" can be considered to maintain precision. When using "slight depth", remember that it conveys a sense of limited substance or complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shallow depth

Replaces "slight" with "shallow", emphasizing the lack of significant depth.

minimal depth

Uses "minimal" instead of "slight" to highlight the small amount of depth.

superficial depth

Employs "superficial" to suggest the depth is only on the surface.

limited depth

Substitutes "slight" with "limited", indicating the depth does not extend far.

small degree of depth

Rephrases the concept using "small degree" to quantify the depth.

modest depth

Uses "modest" in place of "slight" to convey a similar sense of understatement.

a hint of depth

Expresses the idea of a very small amount of depth using the metaphor "a hint of".

marginal depth

Replaces "slight" with "marginal" indicating the depth is barely noticeable.

insignificant depth

Emphasizes the unimportance of the depth by using "insignificant".

surface-level depth

Focuses on the depth being at the surface only, suggesting it doesn't go deep.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight depth" to describe something lacking profoundness or complexity, as in, "The analysis offered only a "slight depth" of understanding regarding the issue".

What are some alternatives to "slight depth"?

Consider using terms like "shallow depth", "minimal depth", or "superficial depth" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "slight depth"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something has a minimal or superficial level of depth, not extensive or thorough.

Is "slight depth" negative or neutral in connotation?

Generally, "slight depth" carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a lack of substance or thoroughness. However, its negativity depends on the context and what is expected.