slight smiles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight smiles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or minor expression of happiness or amusement on someone's face. Example: "As the joke was told, a few slight smiles spread across the audience, indicating their amusement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Williams clapped whenever his teammates made nice plays, offered slight smiles at times and watched intently.

The New York Times - Sports

As he spoke, the Romneys stood off to Mr. Trump's right with slight smiles and hands folded at their waists.

The New York Times

"Maybe a couple of slight smiles," Houston said today after practice at SUNY-Purchase. "It wasn't like we were going crazy, like it just happened.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a grin-and-bear-it compromise, though many Republicans allowed themselves slight smiles for winning as much as they did through games of brinkmanship with the Democrat-controlled White House and Senate.

The New York Times

Each cradled a guitar — nylon-string acoustic for Mr. Cantuária, electric for Mr. Frisell — and both often had slight smiles on their faces, the sort of expression you might wear while hearing an old friend tell a fondly half-remembered tale.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A slight smile rose.

The New York Times

He cracks a slight smile.

The New York Times

A slight smile crossed his lips.

The New Yorker

"No," he said, with a slight smile.

The New Yorker

She allows herself a slight smile.

The Guardian - Travel

A slight smile, nearly a smirk, crossed Boogaard's face.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight smiles" to describe a subtle expression of happiness or amusement, often to indicate politeness, contentment, or a gentle reaction to a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "slight smiles" excessively in your writing. While it's a valid descriptor, overusing it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your descriptions of facial expressions to provide more nuanced and engaging portrayals of emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight smiles" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a subtle facial expression, indicating a mild degree of happiness or amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight smiles" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a subtle facial expression indicating mild happiness or amusement. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this phrase. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to convey a restrained positive emotion. While "slight smiles" is not a high-frequency phrase, alternatives like "faint smiles" or "subtle smiles" can be used for variety. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and consider varying your descriptions of facial expressions for a more engaging portrayal of emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faint smiles

Replaces "slight" with "faint", emphasizing the subtlety of the smile.

subtle smiles

Uses "subtle" instead of "slight", focusing on the understated nature of the smiles.

gentle smiles

Replaces "slight" with "gentle", suggesting a kind and soft expression.

small smiles

Uses "small" to describe the size and intensity of the smiles.

contained smiles

Focuses on the restraint and control behind the smiles.

brief smiles

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of the smiles.

muted smiles

Suggests that the smiles are softened or toned down.

reserved smiles

Highlights the restraint and formality associated with the smiles.

barely perceptible smiles

Emphasizes how difficult it is to notice the smiles.

almost imperceptible smiles

Stresses that the smiles are nearly impossible to detect.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight smiles" to describe a subtle expression of happiness or amusement. For example: "As he listened to the music, "slight smiles" appeared on his face."

What can I say instead of "slight smiles"?

You can use alternatives like "faint smiles", "subtle smiles", or "gentle smiles" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slight smiles" or "slight smile"?

"Slight smiles" is used when referring to multiple people or instances of smiling, whereas "slight smile" is used for a single person or instance. For example: "They exchanged "slight smiles"." vs "She gave a "slight smile"."

What's the difference between "slight smiles" and "smirks"?

"Slight smiles" indicate mild amusement or contentment, while "smirks" often suggest smugness, irony, or secret amusement. The nuance lies in the intention and context behind the facial expression.