slightly after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is a little later than a specified point or event. Example: "The meeting will start slightly after 3 PM, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Index futures fell slightly after the report, but eventually came back.

The New York Times

They slipped slightly after hours.

The New York Times

The euro fell slightly after the news.

The Guardian - Business

Investors were kinder to Motorola, which slipped slightly after hours.

The New York Times

Shares of Nokia rose slightly after the announcement.

The New York Times

US stocks spiked slightly after the Fed's statement.

The Guardian - Business

(He later backtracked slightly, after Republican's seized on his remarks).

The New York Times

The exchange modified the rules slightly after receiving about 300 comments.

The New York Times

It now stands at 13, though that number may change slightly after Tuesday.

The New York Times

Oil slipped slightly after a strong rally on Thursday, dropping 0.5% to $124.94 a barrel.

The Guardian - Business

But in a reversal, American exports bounced back slightly after six months of declines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly after" to indicate a minor delay or progression in time or sequence, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. For instance, "The meeting will begin slightly after 10 AM."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "slightly after" in formal or academic writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "shortly after" or "soon after" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly after" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate timing. Ludwig examples show its usage across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly after" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a short period of time following an event. As Ludwig confirms, it's most common in news and media, science, and lifestyle contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "subsequent to" in certain writing situations. Remember to use it accurately to convey timing, and be mindful of overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just after

Indicates a minimal time difference following an event, synonymous with "slightly after" but perhaps implying an even shorter duration.

a little after

Uses more casual language to convey a small delay or progression in time, similar in meaning but less formal than "slightly after".

shortly after

Implies a brief period of time has passed since an event, comparable but potentially suggesting a more immediate succession.

soon after

Indicates a prompt sequence in time, mirroring "slightly after" but possibly denoting a quicker follow-up.

a short while after

Emphasizes a brief span of time that has elapsed, akin to "slightly after" but drawing more attention to the duration.

moments after

Denotes an almost immediate succession, aligning with "slightly after" in meaning but underscoring the closeness in timing.

close to after

Suggests a proximity in time or sequence, echoing "slightly after" but with a greater emphasis on the nearness of the events.

in the wake of

Implies a consequential relationship where one event directly follows and is influenced by another, similar to but more evocative than "slightly after".

on the heels of

Indicates an event following very closely after another, sharing the sense of sequence with "slightly after" but stressing the immediacy.

following closely

Highlights the sequential relationship and minimal delay between events, comparable to "slightly after" but with a focus on the tight timing.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly after" to indicate a time or event that occurs a short time after another. For example, "The stock market dipped "slightly after" the announcement."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "slightly after"?

Phrases with similar meanings include "just after", "a little after", or "shortly after". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is it always appropriate to use "slightly after" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "slightly after" may sound informal in some contexts. Alternatives like "subsequent to" or "shortly following" may be more suitable for formal writing.

What's the difference between "slightly after" and "immediately after"?

"Slightly after" implies a small delay, while "immediately after" suggests no delay at all. Therefore, the choice between them depends on the precision needed in describing the timing of events.