slight reservation

USAGE SUMMARY

'slight reservation' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or hesitation. For example, "I'm interested in taking the job, but I have a slight reservation about the salary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

With one slight reservation, the cast is first-rate.

The Guardian - Music

If there's a slight reservation with Porter, it's those rather too self-conscious invocations of a golden age.

The Guardian - Music

Ultimately, while he admits to some slight reservation about sex selection, he is clear, in his creative writing (taken up over the past 20 years), in his lectures, in everything he does: sex and reproduction have been severed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fabian says he still has a "slight reservation" about the assertion that the results prove the role of black hole spin.

Science Magazine

He was an active person before, during, and after intervention, but expressed a slight reservation regarding activity level after intervention.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"We did have slight reservations about the contours of Epsom, but the most important factor for her is the going and we will get suitable ground.

The Guardian - Sport

As with his earlier Ghosts, Richard Eyre's new version plays the action in one unbroken arc and, although I have slight reservations, it provides an evening of shocking intensity.

The Guardian

And then felt the slightest reservation.

The Guardian - Travel

He was able to embrace Roman Catholicism (the 1920s version to boot) without the slightest reservation or reference the glaring evidences not so much of its sins so much as its inability to say its ever being able to admit that it has made any mistakes.

Huffington Post

I think that any artist who is painting in the public domain, within communities, will always have a slight element of reservation.

Huffington Post

Still, spokesmen for several Toronto hotels said there had been only a slight increase in reservations.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight reservation" to express a minor concern or hesitation without conveying strong opposition. It is suitable when you want to be polite or diplomatic.

Common error

Avoid using "slight reservation" when you have significant doubts or objections. Opt for stronger language if the issue is more serious than a minor concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight reservation" functions as a noun phrase that describes a feeling of mild doubt or hesitation. It's used to express a concern that isn't strong enough to be called an objection but is still worth mentioning. Ludwig confirms this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight reservation" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying a minor hesitation or concern. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While relatively rare, the expression is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts like news, media and scientific domains. Related phrases like "minor concern" and "small hesitation" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using the phrase, ensure that you are not understating a major concern, and adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight hesitation

Uses a synonym for reservation, maintaining a close meaning.

small hesitation

Replaces "reservation" with a more direct synonym.

small misgiving

Highlights the feeling of doubt or anxiety about something.

minor concern

Focuses on the worry rather than the act of holding back.

minor qualm

Conveys a slight feeling of uneasiness.

faint reluctance

Highlights the unwillingness aspect.

limited doubt

Shifts the focus to uncertainty.

trivial concern

Highlights the lack of importance of the worry.

mild apprehension

Emphasizes the feeling of unease.

negligible objection

Emphasizes the insignificance of the opposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight reservation" to express a minor concern or hesitation, such as, "I agree with the plan, but I have a slight reservation about the timeline."

What is a synonym for "slight reservation"?

Alternatives to "slight reservation" include "minor concern", "small hesitation", or "mild apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slight reservation" or "slight reservations"?

Both "slight reservation" (singular) and "slight reservations" (plural) are grammatically correct. Use the singular form when referring to a single, general concern. Use the plural form when referring to multiple, specific concerns.

What is the difference between "slight reservation" and "strong objection"?

"Slight reservation" indicates a minor hesitation or doubt, while "strong objection" indicates a serious disagreement or opposition. Use "slight reservation" when your concern is relatively small and "strong objection" when your concern is significant.