slightly above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly above" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that is just a bit higher in amount, number, or size than something else. For example, "The temperature outside was slightly above freezing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She put 'lobbyists' right behind used car dealers (and slightly above politicians).

Huffington Post

It rises slightly above its clich?

The New York Times

They are hovering slightly above 5 percent today.

The New York Times

NFL players score slightly above average on the Wonderlic test.

The Guardian - Sport

On 57 Irving, we are slightly above 50percentt equity.

The New York Times

Government negotiators have offered a 7.25% increase, slightly above inflation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now it is slightly above it.What explains this change?

The Economist

Beet processing is generally at pH levels slightly above 7.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The results were slightly above most analysts' expectations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

By his statistics, Wolf is a slightly above-average pitcher.

The New York Times

Defensively, he shows slightly above-average range and good hands.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data, use "slightly above" to convey a minor difference or increase without exaggerating the importance.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly above" when the difference is substantial; use terms like "significantly above" or "well above" to accurately reflect the magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly above" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree to which something exceeds a specific point or value. It provides a nuanced way to express that something is a little higher or greater, without overstating the difference. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly above" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is a little higher or greater than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. It's important to choose this phrase when the difference is minor, and to consider alternatives like "marginally higher" or "just over" for varied expression. The phrase sees frequent use in contexts such as news, general knowledge, and scientific reporting, demonstrating its broad applicability. Avoid using it to describe significant differences, and consider the register of your writing to ensure appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally higher

Replaces 'slightly above' with 'marginally higher', emphasizing a small increase.

a tad higher

Uses 'a tad higher' for a more informal and concise expression of a small increase.

just over

Employs 'just over' to indicate that something is a little bit more than a specific amount.

somewhat exceeding

Replaces 'slightly above' with 'somewhat exceeding', suggesting a formal tone and a moderate increase.

fractionally greater than

Uses 'fractionally greater than' to denote a minute difference above a certain level.

a bit beyond

Employs 'a bit beyond' to suggest a small amount over a particular limit.

scarcely surpassing

Replaces 'slightly above' with 'scarcely surpassing', indicating a barely noticeable increase.

minimally exceeding

Uses 'minimally exceeding' to express that the quantity is just above the limit in minimal terms.

notably superior

Substitutes with 'notably superior', suggesting a considerable and positive difference.

relatively exceeding

Uses 'relatively exceeding' to indicate an increase that is viewed in proportion to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly above" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly above" to describe something that is just a little higher or greater than a certain point or level. For example, "The temperature was "slightly above average" today".

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly above"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "marginally higher", "a tad higher", or "just over".

Is it appropriate to use "slightly above" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly above" is generally appropriate for formal writing. However, for even greater precision, consider alternatives such as "fractionally greater than" or "somewhat exceeding".

What's the difference between "slightly above" and "significantly above"?

"Slightly above" indicates a small difference, while "significantly above" implies a much larger and more important difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the size of the difference you are describing.