slightly askew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly askew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not perfectly aligned or is a little off from its intended position. Example: "The picture on the wall was slightly askew, so I straightened it before the guests arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the painting, Dr. Taussig's hair was slightly askew.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was slightly askew, it turned out.

The New York Times

Tami Stronach presents glimpses of worlds gone slightly askew.

The New York Times

After 30 minutes, set the lid slightly askew.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was grinning, and his tie was slightly askew.

The New York Times

I was hungry for him, in his well-worn jeans, Yankees cap slightly askew.

The New York Times

Down on a decayed farm in Illinois, everything is slightly askew.

The Guardian

Watched him backpedal down the floor, his teammate's tongue slightly askew from his mouth.

The New York Times - Sports

Evan, revealing a pair of slightly mottled knees, had on a helmet, slightly askew.

The New York Times

Its ark will be slightly askew within the four walls but aligned with true east.

The New York Times

The White Stripes 02 Wireless Festival Something feels slightly askew at the O2 Wireless Festival.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly askew" to subtly imply something is not quite right or as expected, without being overly critical. This can add nuance to your writing, suggesting a gentle imperfection or a hint of something amiss.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly askew" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "a bit off-center" or "somewhat tilted" to maintain reader engagement and freshness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slightly askew" is to act as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something is out of alignment. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to qualify the adjective 'askew', indicating a minor deviation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly askew" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is a little off-center or not perfectly aligned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media. When writing, using synonyms like "a little crooked" or "somewhat tilted" can help avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement. It's important to consider the context to ensure it fits the intended meaning and tone. Overall, "slightly askew" is a useful phrase for adding subtle descriptive detail to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch askew

Emphasizes the small degree of misalignment.

a little crooked

Emphasizes the irregularity or lack of straightness.

somewhat tilted

Focuses on the angle of inclination.

a bit off-center

Highlights the displacement from the central point.

slightly lopsided

Implies an imbalance or unevenness.

marginally skewed

Uses a more formal term to indicate deviation.

somewhat awry

Indicates a departure from the expected or planned course.

a shade off

Emphasizes that something isn't exactly right or perfect.

a hair out of line

Emphasizes the minimal deviation from alignment.

a mite crooked

Uses less common vocabulary to indicate slight irregularity.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly askew" to describe something that is not perfectly straight or aligned. For example, "The picture frame was "slightly askew", so I straightened it."

What does "slightly askew" mean?

"Slightly askew" means a little off-center or not perfectly in line. It suggests a minor deviation from a straight or correct position.

What can I say instead of "slightly askew"?

You can use alternatives like "a little crooked", "somewhat tilted", or "a bit off-center" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little askew" instead of "slightly askew"?

Yes, "a little askew" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "slightly askew" and carries a similar meaning.