slight discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor difference or disagreement with something. For example, "We identified a slight discrepancy between the two sets of data, but nothing major."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The slight discrepancy with the measured value can be due to experimental losses or a slightly less bright QD.

Nature

In addition, a slight discrepancy is found in the contact of an elastically dissimilar case.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The multidimensional effects of the helical tube bundle which includes the entrance effect result in slight discrepancy.

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

That would suggest there have been five deaths, a slight discrepancy from the F.D.A. figures that was not explained.

The New York Times

In any event, the cancer rate on Long Island is not significantly higher than the national norms, and the slight discrepancy can be explained by socio-demographic factors.

The New York Times

While McCarthy says that power storage is evolving significantly, he concedes that there remains a "slight discrepancy" in the event of such shortfalls.

The Guardian

This slight discrepancy is due to the larger dipole moment of the SPC water in comparison with the actual dipole moment of an isolated water molecule.

Chemical Engineering Science

Our proposed model shows a slight discrepancy when compared with experimental data and gives a better understanding of phase equilibria dependence on the chain length of the polymer.

Polymer

The results (respectively 5.8 × 10−07 and 4.8 × 10−07 kg/(m2 Pa s1/2) show a slight discrepancy between values obtained from steady-state and from dynamic conditions.

Construction and Building Materials

The diffusion has been compared with the conductivity by applying the Nernst-Einstein relation: a slight discrepancy is found for Li(CF3SO3 PEG10, while the agreement is very good for LiN CF3SO2 2PEG10.

Polymer

The Flory—Huggins theory could reasonably describe the coexistence curves of blends with different molecular weights, although it showed a slight discrepancy for the effects of molecular-weight asymmetry on the coexistence curve.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight discrepancy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and the nature of the difference. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the nuance you're conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "slight discrepancy" when the difference is actually significant. Using it to downplay a major issue can be misleading or even deceptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a minor difference or inconsistency between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

22%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight discrepancy" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a minor difference or inconsistency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its primary function is to acknowledge a variance without emphasizing it as a critical issue. It is suitable for formal, neutral, and even professional contexts, being commonly found in science, news, and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being compared. Alternatives such as "minor inconsistency" or "small difference" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor inconsistency

This alternative focuses on the lack of complete agreement between two or more things.

small difference

This alternative is a more straightforward way to describe a small variation.

marginal variation

This alternative suggests a minimal amount of change or difference.

subtle divergence

This option emphasizes the act of gradually moving in different directions.

minor deviation

This alternative focuses on the act of straying slightly from an established course or standard.

small disparity

This option is suitable when describing a difference in quantity or quality, but the difference is not major.

modest gap

This alternative emphasizes the space or interval between two things being not substantial.

limited disagreement

This choice highlights a partial lack of consensus or harmony.

minimal contradiction

This option focuses on the presence of opposing or inconsistent elements, but at a reduced scale.

negligible difference

This implies that the difference is so small that it is practically insignificant.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight discrepancy" to point out a minor difference between two things, as in, "There was a slight discrepancy between the reported earnings and the actual figures."

What's a good alternative to "slight discrepancy"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "minor inconsistency", "small difference", or "marginal variation".

Is it appropriate to use "slight discrepancy" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight discrepancy" is suitable for formal writing. It's commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts to describe small differences.

How does "slight discrepancy" differ from "major discrepancy"?

"Slight discrepancy" indicates a small, often unimportant difference, while "major discrepancy" suggests a significant and potentially problematic difference.