slightly because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly because" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate a minor reason for something, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I was late, slightly because of traffic."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is cheating slightly, because it displays bravery away from the field of play.

The Guardian - Sport

But travel to Europe might be down slightly because of the weakness of the dollar.

The New York Times

Actually the figures may have risen slightly because Fan flags up everything of concern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Earnings per share rose slightly because the company had been buying back and retiring shares.

The New York Times

They were pushing slightly because of the state of the match.

The New York Times

Every performance differs slightly, because the script of the play doesn't have an ending.

The Guardian - Travel

The unemployment rate fell only slightly because it was seasonally adjusted.

The New York Times

Management's numbers usually differ slightly because of different methods of calculation.

The New York Times

Next year's spending will actually increase slightly because of obligations like Medicaid and pension costs, leaving less for other programs.

The New York Times

She pushes me harder … I think sometimes male coaches let you off the hook slightly because you are a girl.

The Guardian - Sport

Third-quarter volume sales in Russia declined "slightly" because of cool weather, according to Carlsberg, the country's market leader.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider rephrasing "slightly because" with more precise language like "partly due to" or "somewhat because of", especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly because" repeatedly in formal documents; it can make your writing sound less authoritative. Opt for stronger causal connectors or more descriptive phrasing to convey the relationship more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly because" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a clause of reason or cause. It indicates that the reason provided is a contributing factor but not necessarily the primary or sole cause. As Ludwig AI suggests, clarity can be improved by rephrasing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly because" serves to introduce a reason that partially explains a situation. As Ludwig AI observes, it is relatively common, particularly in news and scientific contexts. However, while grammatically acceptable, it may lack the precision needed for formal writing, where alternatives like "partly due to" or "somewhat because of" may be more appropriate. Therefore, careful consideration of the context and desired level of formality is essential when using "slightly because".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little because

Uses simpler language to indicate a minor causal relationship.

somewhat because of

Indicates a degree of causation, similar to "slightly because" but more formal.

in part because

Highlights that the reason is one of several factors contributing to the outcome.

to a small degree because

Emphasizes the small amount of influence exerted by the cause.

partly due to

Emphasizes a partial cause rather than a slight influence.

marginally due to

Highlights a very small impact or effect from the cause.

to some extent due to

Suggests a limited degree of influence or causation.

partially as a result of

More formal phrasing that highlights the consequence of the cause.

owing in some measure to

Very formal; implies that the reason is a contributing factor but not the sole cause.

tinged with

Describes a situation subtly affected by something.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly because" to indicate a minor or partial reason for something. For example: "The unemployment rate fell only "slightly" because it was seasonally adjusted."

What phrases are similar to "slightly because"?

You can use alternatives such as "partly due to", "somewhat because of", or "in part because" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slightly because" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "slightly because" is not considered standard English and can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to rephrase for improved clarity and formality. Ludwig AI suggests rephrasing may improve overall sentence structure.

What's the difference between "slightly because" and "just because"?

"Slightly because" indicates a partial reason, while "just because" often implies an arbitrary or insufficient reason. For example, "He was late, slightly because of traffic" suggests traffic contributed to the delay, whereas "He did it just because" implies there was no good reason.