slight divergence

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight divergence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about when two or more paths, opinions, or ideas differ slightly from each other. For example, "In spite of a slight divergence in opinion, the two sides managed to come to a compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We observe only a slight divergence of the spatial expansion in the long-term evolution.

Combustion and Flame

The scene, though charming, entails a slight divergence from the habits of the actual Reverend Austen, whose idea of a wild time was to read aloud the poetry of William Cowper.

The New Yorker

For the remaining combinations, i.e. contrasting habitats in contrasting landscapes or the same habitats in the same or a similar landscape, successions may exhibit no or only slight divergence or convergence.

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

A slight divergence in their goals and our goals could be enough to end humanity.

TechCrunch

A slight divergence in their goals and our goals could be enough to end humanity.

TechCrunch

However, when examining income means and medians in Figure 2, we seem to detect a positive income effect, although a slight divergence in earnings is revealed in the early years.

IZA Journal of Migration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

So far this year, there have been signs of slight divergences in the performance of broad asset classes.

The New York Times

All ASB proteins share, with slight divergences, the consensus sequences of BC box and Cul5 box in their C-terminal (Fig. 1B [5], [6], [8].

Plosone

Studies undertaken in different settings or in different countries might display slight divergences, as HRQL is also modulated by cultural and care patterns.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Thus the degree of separation of the major branches on the two reductase subtrees mainly reflects the change in function for making different pigments billions of years ago rather than the relatively slight divergences that have occurred since.

Biology Direct

The slightest divergence between them can undermine even the most brilliant (and expensive) marketing campaign.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight divergence" to precisely describe situations where a minor separation or difference occurs, ensuring clarity and avoiding overstatement. For instance, in scientific discussions, it can highlight small but potentially significant variations in data.

Common error

Avoid using "slight divergence" when the difference is actually substantial. Using "significant divergence" or "major difference" would be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight divergence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its use in various contexts, signifying a minor degree of difference or separation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight divergence" is a phrase used to describe a minor difference or separation between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the difference is indeed small, and consider alternatives like "minor deviation" or "small difference" depending on the specific context. Avoid using it when the difference is significant, as that would be an overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor deviation

Emphasizes the act of straying from a path or standard, similar to a divergence but focuses on the deviation itself.

small difference

A more general term indicating a small distinction, applicable in contexts where 'divergence' might be too formal or specific.

marginal variation

Highlights the aspect of change or difference, often used in scientific or statistical contexts.

subtle distinction

Focuses on the difficulty in perceiving the difference, implying a delicate or understated contrast.

insignificant difference

Indicates that the divergence is not important or impactful.

limited departure

Suggests a restrained or confined movement away from a norm or standard.

mild discrepancy

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or consistency, but to a small degree.

tiny discrepancy

Focuses on how the difference is extremely small or difficult to see or measure.

modest difference

A difference that is reasonable but not extreme in amount.

minimal difference

Focuses on how the difference is at the lowest possible degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight divergence" to describe a minor difference between two things. For example, "There was a slight divergence in the data between the two groups."

What is a synonym for "slight divergence"?

Some synonyms for "slight divergence" include "minor deviation", "small difference", or "marginal variation".

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

Yes, "slight divergence" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts where precise language is important.

What's the difference between "slight divergence" and "significant divergence"?

"Slight divergence" indicates a minor difference, while "significant divergence" implies a more substantial and important difference.