slightly below

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly below" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a small degree of something being less than usual, expected, or desired. For example: "The number of summer visitors to the lake was slightly below the previous year's rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The airline will still be slightly below break-even".

The New York Times

"Slightly below average," he said.

The New Yorker

But that, too, was slightly below expectations.

The New York Times

The results were slightly below analysts' estimates.

The New York Times

Intel's results were slightly below expectations.

The New York Times - Tech

Both figures were slightly below expectations.

The New York Times

Our current estimates are slightly below consensus.

The Guardian - Business

That was slightly below Wall Street's expectations.

The New York Times - Tech

Team displays a slightly below average sportsmanship.

University of California, Berkeley

But sharply higher marketing expenses held profits slightly below expectations.

The New York Times

Connecticut, at 23.5 minutes, was slightly below the national average.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly below", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for comparison. For example, "The temperature was slightly below average for this time of year."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly below" when the difference is substantial. Use more appropriate terms like "significantly lower" or "considerably less" if the variation is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly below" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the degree to which something is less than a specified or implied value. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to express that a value or position is a bit less than something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Forbes

5%

Wiki

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly below" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is a small degree less than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and academic texts, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and utility. To maintain precision, avoid using "slightly below" when the difference is substantial, and ensure there's a clear reference point for comparison. Alternatives such as "a bit under" or "just beneath" can be used depending on the context to express a similar, small difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit under

Indicates a marginally smaller quantity or degree.

just beneath

Emphasizes spatial positioning that is marginally lower.

marginally lower than

Highlights a small quantitative difference.

somewhat less than

Suggests a slightly reduced amount or value.

a shade under

Implies a very subtle difference in measurement.

scarcely exceeding

Highlights that something does not quite reach a specified value.

almost underneath

Focuses on near-vertical placement.

fractionally beneath

Implies that one number is a small amount less than a defined amount.

a hair's breadth below

Denotes an extremely small distance or amount below.

one step below

Expresses the relative difference between a concept and a reference value.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly below" to indicate that a value, measurement, or position is a small amount less than another. For example, "The test score was slightly below the class average."

What are some alternatives to "slightly below"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a bit under", "just beneath", or "marginally lower than", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly below" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly below" is appropriate in formal writing as it is a clear and concise way to express a small difference. However, ensure the context is suitable and the difference is indeed slight.

When should I not use "slightly below"?

Avoid using "slightly below" when describing large or significant differences. In such cases, use more descriptive terms like "significantly lower" or "considerably less" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the difference.