slight suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

'slight suggestion' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to hint at something that you would like someone to do without making a direct request. For example: "I have a slight suggestion for how we can handle the issue. What do you think about implementing a new system?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That confidence and the slight suggestion of bad behaviour".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His approach proved disciplined, though it was not without impetuosity and even, in one or two places, a slight suggestion of hastiness.

The Guardian - Music

It is unclear quite what she means by this, but there is a slight suggestion of distance between Dati and her one surviving parent.

The Guardian

The researchers also found a slight suggestion that low fat might make a difference in breast cancer but the results were not statistically significant, meaning they may have occurred by chance.

The New York Times - Health

The production designer, Patrick Tatopoulos, has come up with some inspired creatures, but the slight suggestion that the links are stand-ins for oppressed human minorities is probably a heavier burden than this slight enterprise can bear.

The New York Times - Arts

Fryling is a tall man with a broad forehead, whose hair falls straight to his eyes without the slight suggestion that comb or brush has ever been invited to intrude upon nature.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

While composing Anakin's theme, Williams tried to reflect the innocence of his childhood and to foreshadow his transformation into Darth Vader by using slight suggestions of "The Imperial March" in the melody.

Wikipedia

It tells parallel stories, without the slightest suggestion of contrivance.

The Guardian - Books

It has the slightest suggestion of tomato, and paired easily with both dishes.

The New York Times - Food

"How many do you have?" he asked, striding along without the slightest suggestion of a limp.

The New Yorker

In the north, there is not even the slightest suggestion of anything Greek.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "slight suggestion" with phrases that invite feedback, such as "What do you think?" or "I'm open to other ideas."

Common error

Avoid presenting a "slight suggestion" as a definitive solution. Doing so can undermine your credibility and create resistance to your idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight suggestion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., have a slight suggestion, offer a slight suggestion). It indicates a tentative or minor proposal or idea. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight suggestion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that introduces a tentative or minor proposal. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s suitable for various contexts, including News & Media and scientific writing. Related phrases include "minor recommendation" and "gentle nudge", offering alternative ways to express a similar meaning. When using "slight suggestion", it's best to invite feedback and avoid overselling the idea as a definitive solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor recommendation

Replaces "suggestion" with "recommendation", emphasizing a formal endorsement but keeping the sense of something small or unimportant.

small proposal

Substitutes both "slight" and "suggestion" with synonyms, maintaining the idea of a tentative offer.

gentle nudge

Uses a more metaphorical term for "suggestion", implying subtle encouragement rather than a direct idea.

hint of a notion

Emphasizes the vagueness of the idea, making it seem more like a fleeting thought.

passing thought

Focuses on the idea being brief and not necessarily well-formed.

preliminary idea

Highlights that the suggestion is in the early stages of development.

tentative recommendation

Combines formality with uncertainty. The user provides a recommendation but it has not been completely confirmed.

vague hint

Changes both words with a similar meaning but it creates a combination that emphasizes lack of clarity.

casual proposal

Changes the emphasis to how the suggestion/proposal is delivered, to be casual means is more relaxed and informal.

initial idea

Replaces the words with more descriptive adjectives without losing the essence of the phrase.

FAQs

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

You might say, "I have a "slight suggestion" about the marketing campaign. What if we targeted a younger demographic?"

What's a more formal way to express a "slight suggestion"?

In a formal setting, you could offer a "tentative recommendation" or a "preliminary idea".

Is "slight suggestion" always the best way to introduce an idea?

Not always. If you have strong evidence or conviction, a more direct approach may be more effective than offering a ""slight suggestion"".

What are some alternatives to "slight suggestion" that emphasize uncertainty?

Phrases like "hint of a notion" or "passing thought" can convey a greater degree of uncertainty than "slight suggestion".