slightly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slightly better' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is better than before, but only to a certain degree or small extent. For example, "This version of the report is slightly better than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hamlet fares slightly better.

Independent

American orchestras do slightly better.

Independent

Kasparov stands slightly better.

The New York Times - Arts

Alltel fared slightly better.

The New York Times

Odds slightly better than Ahab's.

The New York Times - Travel

The pizzas are slightly better.

The New Yorker

Other adjustments are slightly better.

The Guardian - Arts

Some have done slightly better.

The New York Times

It was only slightly better from there.

The New York Times - Sports

Other banks have fared slightly better.

The New York Times

And slightly better than coal is absurd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly better" to convey a small degree of improvement or preference without exaggerating the change.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly better" when the actual improvement is significant; choose stronger words like "significantly better" or "much better" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly better" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a marginal degree of improvement. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to compare two entities, with one having a small advantage over the other. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly better" is a comparative adjective phrase used to describe a marginal improvement or preference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While it conveys a nuanced assessment, it's important to avoid overstating the actual improvement. Using synonyms like "marginally superior" or "somewhat improved" can add variety and precision to your writing. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing small positive changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally superior

Emphasizes a minor degree of superiority.

somewhat improved

Highlights the aspect of improvement, albeit to a limited extent.

a tad better

Uses more informal language to express a slight advantage.

fractionally enhanced

Focuses on the incremental nature of the enhancement.

a shade better

Uses a more subtle and nuanced expression for a small difference.

incrementally advantageous

Highlights the gains from the incremental improvements.

a touch better

Implies a subtle and almost imperceptible improvement.

minimally superior

Stresses the small margin of superiority.

a bit better

Uses simpler, everyday language to denote a small positive change.

somewhat preferable

Indicates a slight preference due to the marginal improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly better" to indicate a marginal improvement. For example, "The updated model performs "slightly better" than its predecessor".

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly better"?

Alternatives include phrases like "marginally superior", "somewhat improved", or "a tad better", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "slightly better" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly better" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to convey a minor improvement or preference. However, consider using more precise language if the context demands it.

What's the difference between "slightly better" and "much better"?

"Slightly better" indicates a small improvement, while "much better" suggests a significant and noticeable improvement. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the change you are describing.