slight turn

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight turn" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any context where you are describing a small change in the direction of something. For example: "I took a slight turn to the left before continuing down the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"We've taken a slight turn and we're going in the right direction.

The New York Times - Sports

"How are you?" I asked, hearing a slight turn in her voice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reconsideration of roles takes a slight turn in "Glimmer Glint Glisten," the third piece that will be repeated.

The New York Times

The testing results show good 3D performance of this locomotion model in both forward and backward locomotion, as well as slight turn and Ω turn.

Neurocomputing

This slot starts from the vicinity of the leading edge and exits from the pressure-side of the airfoil after making a slight turn.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The 37-year-old co-pilot, Robert, then suggested the plane perform a slight turn to the left, which resulted in an increase in turbulence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

But it was China itself that, rather than loftily ignoring the perceived slight, turned attendance in Oslo on December 10th into a with-us-or-against-us test of friendship.

The Economist

For optimists, the coincidence of the school's arrival with the banking collapse and Mr. Hirst's auction hinted at a possible, if slight, turning point in the city's ethos.

The New York Times - Arts

The complaints range from reports of slight turns of the wheel resulting in exaggerated motions to wandering across lanes at higher speeds.

Forbes

If that is the impact of just the possibility of a slight turning down of the money faucet, what kind of market reaction is likely as and when the valve is tightened?

BBC

But a slight turning of the tide is evident.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical movement or direction change, use "slight turn" to indicate a small, almost imperceptible alteration. It's particularly effective when emphasizing precision or control.

Common error

Avoid using "slight turn" in highly abstract or metaphorical contexts where a more nuanced term like "shift" or "adjustment" might be more appropriate. It can sound awkward if the context isn't at least tangentially related to physical movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight turn" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'slight' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'turn'. It describes a specific kind of directional change, indicating a small degree of alteration in course. As Ludwig AI points out, it's considered a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

27%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight turn" is a versatile term used to describe a minor change in direction, course, or orientation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase that appears frequently in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While grammatically straightforward, it’s essential to consider the context when using "slight turn", ensuring it accurately reflects the subtle nature of the change you’re describing. Alternatives like "gentle curve" or "minor deviation" can be considered for stylistic variation, but "slight turn" remains a clear and widely accepted option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gentle curve

Replaces 'turn' with 'curve' to emphasize the gradual nature of the change.

minor deviation

Substitutes both 'slight' and 'turn' to highlight a small departure from a path.

small adjustment

Replaces 'turn' with 'adjustment' to suggest a correction or modification.

soft bend

Uses 'bend' instead of 'turn' to imply a less angular change in direction.

gradual shift

Emphasizes the slowness and smoothness of the change in direction.

gentle swerve

Replaces 'turn' with 'swerve', implying a smooth deviation.

marginal alteration

Uses more formal language to describe a minimal change.

small deflection

Replaces 'turn' with 'deflection', suggesting something being diverted slightly.

tiny modification

Highlights the diminutive nature of the change made.

subtle redirection

Focuses on the imperceptible nature of the change in course.

FAQs

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

You can use "slight turn" to describe a minor change in direction, such as "The road took a slight turn to the right", or to indicate a small shift in strategy, like "The company made a slight turn in its marketing approach".

What are some alternatives to "slight turn"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "gentle curve", "minor deviation", or "small adjustment".

Is it correct to say "a slightly turn" instead of "slight turn"?

No, the correct phrasing is "slight turn". "Slight" is an adjective modifying the noun "turn". Using "slightly" would be grammatically incorrect in this context as "slightly" is an adverb.

What's the difference between "slight turn" and "sharp turn"?

"Slight turn" refers to a minor change in direction, whereas "sharp turn" indicates an abrupt and significant change in direction. The degree of change differentiates the two phrases.