slightly abnormal

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly abnormal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is out of the ordinary, but not significantly so. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's behavior, a situation, or a physical characteristic. Example: "The doctor noticed that the patient's heart rate was slightly abnormal, but it was nothing to be too concerned about."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm really glad I had it.' He was soon back in the slightly abnormal world of the professional rugby player.

The Guardian - Sport

And our imaginary test really was ridiculously good: it's very difficult to identify suspects, just from slightly abnormal behavioural patterns.

The Guardian - Opinion

The test results were scored in four grades: 0 (normal), 1 (slightly abnormal), 2 (moderately abnormal), and 3 (severely abnormal).

Brain and Development

Of the cows scored, 23% were lame (lameness scores 3 5; from slightly abnormal gait to severe lameness).

Livestock Science

Fetal monitoring has become more sophisticated, yet any questionable situation that precedes a less-than-perfect outcome -- even a slightly abnormal heartbeat -- is grounds for a lawsuit.

The New York Times

They showed 3.18 million copies of the hepatitis C virus in his blood and slightly abnormal liver enzymes, indicating an infection.

The New York Times - Science

The story begins with Jacob, the protagonist, being tired of his normal life - a slightly abnormal life because he is rich, but otherwise a normal life.

The Guardian

A colleague noticed that his speech seemed slightly abnormal, and the man told him he wasn't feeling right, Dr. Kaskar said.

The New York Times

Clinical examination of cloned sheep in the present study revealed only mild lameness in the left foreleg of one animal, which may have been associated with her slightly abnormal forelimb conformation.

Nature

When numerous tests are run on the same animal, the chances of obtaining one or more slightly "abnormal" results on an animal that actually is normal rises (p = 1 - 0.95n).

Cornell University

So I went to my doctor and discovered that my thyroid levels were slightly abnormal, and my levels of cortisol, the "stress hormone", were four points above the upper threshold for normal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing test results or observations, use "slightly abnormal" to indicate a minor deviation from the expected range. This can help avoid unnecessary alarm while still conveying important information.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly abnormal" when the deviation is actually significant. Choose a more appropriate descriptor like "moderately abnormal" or "significantly abnormal" to accurately reflect the degree of irregularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly abnormal" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating a mild deviation from what is considered normal or standard. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary, but not significantly so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly abnormal" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that deviates from the norm in a minor way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is most frequently used in scientific, academic and news reporting where precision is needed. When using "slightly abnormal", avoid overstating the significance of the deviation, and consider alternatives like "marginally deviant" or "somewhat atypical" to add nuance. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate the phrase's wide applicability and accepted usage across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally deviant

Emphasizes the deviation from a standard, but only to a small extent.

minimally divergent

Highlights the divergence from a point, but to a minimal degree.

somewhat atypical

Highlights the non-typical nature, but in a moderate way.

mildly irregular

Focuses on the lack of regularity, keeping the emphasis on mildness.

not quite normal

States the absence of perfect normalcy, though only just.

hardly typical

Emphasizes the lack of typicality, though only slightly.

a shade unusual

Indicates a small degree of uncommonness.

a bit off

More informal; suggests something isn't quite right in a subtle way.

just a little strange

Focuses on the oddity, but only to a small degree.

slightly off-kilter

Implies a minor imbalance or deviation from the expected.

FAQs

How to use "slightly abnormal" in a sentence?

Use "slightly abnormal" to describe something that deviates from the norm in a minor way. For example, "The patient's blood pressure was "slightly abnormal", but not concerning".

What's the difference between "slightly abnormal" and "moderately abnormal"?

"Slightly abnormal" indicates a small deviation from the norm, whereas "moderately abnormal" suggests a more significant departure.

What can I say instead of "slightly abnormal"?

You can use alternatives like "marginally deviant", "somewhat atypical", or "mildly irregular" depending on the context.

Is "slightly abnormal" formal or informal language?

"Slightly abnormal" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid slangy alternatives in professional settings.