slightly around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly around" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate a small degree of movement or change in position, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "The cat moved slightly around the corner, peeking out to see what was happening."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results reveal that the compressive and flexural strengths of RCC specimens are slightly (around 5%) improved by using 5% rubber content.

Construction and Building Materials

Not only did Apple hit that $20 billion revenue quarter, Microsoft's quarter-to-quarter total only went up slightly (around $200 million).

TechCrunch

Correct rates for purebred animals were identical for the within-breed and combined-breed scenarios for both breeds, but correlation coefficients increased slightly (around 0.01) in the combined-breed scenario.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

At slow speeds the PV/IV angles during the downstroke are higher than at higher speeds and fluctuate slightly (around 59° for low speeds and around 56° for intermediate and high speeds) (Fig. 6d).

Biology Open

Stocks recovered slightly around midday, only to fall sharply again.

The New York Times

Samsung's phone wraps slightly around the vertical axis, like a shoehorn.

The New York Times

Note that the cake will collapse slightly around the edges, but this is perfectly normal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The levator hiatus was also measured on a group of similar-appearing slices rotated slightly around a defined point.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fire continued to smolder on Friday morning, with smoke still curling slightly around the Funtown Pier sign.

The New York Times

Press bread into bottom and sides, leaving no gaps (the slices can overlap slightly around sides of bowl).

The New York Times - Food

It's true that the pain wears off, slightly, around the edge, like a knife in need of whetting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly around", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. It often benefits from being paired with specific measurements or references to clarify the degree of variation.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly around" in highly formal or academic writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and quantifiable terms when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly around" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a degree of approximation or variation. It describes something that is near, but not exactly at, a specific point or value. Ludwig AI considers it an acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly around" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate approximation or minor variation. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, it's more common in news and scientific contexts but less suited for highly formal writing. More precise alternatives, such as "approximately" or "in the vicinity of", may be preferred in academic or technical settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider the level of precision required by the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little over

Indicates an amount exceeding a specific value by a small margin; implies approximation.

just about

Expresses that something is nearly or almost at a particular state or level.

in the vicinity of

Specifies a location or range that is close to a certain point, but not exactly there.

somewhat near

Implies proximity with a hint of vagueness or uncertainty.

marginally close to

Highlights a slight difference or proximity to a given point.

approximately near

Similar to "in the vicinity of", but emphasizes estimation or approximation.

in close proximity to

Highlights nearness to a particular object or location.

almost on

Signifies being very close or nearly upon a particular mark or point.

nearly upon

Indicates the state of being almost at a location.

not far from

States that something is close to or near another thing.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly around" to indicate a small deviation or proximity, as in, "The temperature fluctuated slightly around 25 degrees Celsius."

What's a better alternative to "slightly around" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like /s/approximately, /s/in+the+vicinity+of, or /s/marginally to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

Is it grammatically correct to use "slightly around"?

While not strictly incorrect, "slightly around" is considered informal. Depending on the context, more precise or formal alternatives may be preferred.

In what contexts is "slightly around" most appropriate?

"Slightly around" is often found in news reports and scientific discussions where approximations are sufficient, but more precise language might be preferable for academic or highly technical contexts.