slightly as long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly as long" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when comparing lengths, but it needs to be rephrased for clarity, such as "slightly longer" or "about the same length." Example: "The new table is slightly longer than the old one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Samuel West said: "Howard Davies built casts like making a cake – never afraid to change the recipe slightly as long as the thing rose.

The Guardian

Viera and colleagues [ 8] observed that with a large enough sample size, 1000 and above, any Kappa score above 0 will become statistically significant, and that it is not important if one observer differs from another slightly, as long as the diagnosis is positive or negative for both, and not positive for one observer and negative for the other.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Al-Amin, who did not testify in his defense, tried to look stoic as the verdict was read by Superior Court Judge Stephanie B. Manis, but could be seen shaking his head slightly as the long string of "guilties" continued.

The New York Times

My audience's reply was "Of course not!" I think slightly differently – as long as you respect the occasion you're at, it's fine.

The Guardian

Interestingly, the high hydroxylase activities characteristic of the GF rat was only slightly decreased as long as 56 days after conventionalization.

Plosone

Antennae filiform or somewhat moniliform, as long as or slightly shorter than head and prothorax together; antennomere 3 longest, as long as or longer than pedicel and antennomere 4 combined.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Antennae filiform or somewhat moniliform, as long as or slightly shorter than head and prothorax taken together; longitudinal, distinct antennal groove present on ventral side of head; antennomere 3 slightly long than antennomere 4. Clypeus and frons fused; labrum short, transverse.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

That first serve percentage increases slightly as Li goes long and makes it 30-0.

The Guardian - Sport

At the same time, the digital error correction codes are not energy efficient since more transmission power slightly increases performance as long as the receiving SNR is modestly above the threshold.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

You know the heart of it, but you can play with it and tell it in a slightly different way, as long as you understand the overall message.

Huffington Post

This process is remarkably extended anteriorly, slightly exceeding the cranial margin of the pubic peduncle and being slightly more than twice as long as deep.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, use more common phrases like "a bit longer" or "somewhat longer" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly as long" in formal writing. Opt for direct comparisons such as "slightly longer" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly as long" functions as a comparative phrase, attempting to describe the relative length of one object in relation to another. However, it is not a standard or grammatically preferred construction. Ludwig indicates it "is not correct in standard written English."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "slightly as long" attempts to convey a comparison in length, it is not considered grammatically ideal. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not correct in standard written English and offers clearer alternatives like "slightly longer". Its usage is infrequent and appears mainly in news, media, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, opting for alternatives like "a bit longer" or "somewhat longer" is recommended, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat longer

Replaces "slightly as long" with a more direct comparison of length.

a bit longer

Offers a more informal and concise way to express a small difference in length.

marginally longer

Indicates a very small difference in length.

just a little longer

Provides a more descriptive and conversational alternative.

not quite as short

Expresses a length comparison by negating shortness.

almost as long

Indicates nearness in size to an object used as a comparison.

substantially shorter

Emphasizes the substantial difference in size when something is not as long.

noticeably longer

Implies that the comparative object has more length than another, in a way that is obvious or remarkable.

measurably longer

Stresses that the comparative object has length greater than another, to such extent that it can be measured.

appreciably longer

Highlights the notable difference in size, which stands out or is easily perceived.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "slightly as long" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "somewhat longer", "a bit longer", or "marginally longer" for improved clarity and natural flow.

Is "slightly as long" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "slightly as long" is not considered the most grammatically sound way to express a minor difference in length. It's better to use alternatives like "slightly longer".

What's the difference between "slightly as long" and "slightly longer"?

"Slightly longer" is a direct comparison, indicating an increase in length. "Slightly as long" is less direct and can sound awkward. Opt for "slightly longer" for simplicity.

In what contexts is it acceptable to use "slightly as long"?

While not encouraged in formal contexts, you might encounter "slightly as long" in informal speech or writing. However, using clearer alternatives enhances communication in most situations.