slightly better than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly better than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a comparison between two items or people when one item is somewhat better than the other. For example, "This year's smartphone model is slightly better than the previous year's version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And slightly better than coal is absurd.

The New York Times

Odds slightly better than Ahab's.

The New York Times - Travel

Women fare slightly better than men.

Cornell University

Jack Andrews has it slightly better than Mr. Phillips.

The New York Times

Only I'm slightly better than you".

The New York Times

He probably deserved slightly better than this.

The Guardian - Film

"ClinPhen actually guesses slightly better than a clinician," Bejerano said.

Stanford University

The results were slightly better than analysts had forecast.

The New York Times

Red are slightly better than green in this respect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Citigroup posted slightly better-than-expected profits.

Forbes

The 535 is a slightly better-than-average budget device.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly better than" to express a small degree of advantage or improvement without exaggerating the difference. This is useful in scenarios where precision and objectivity are important.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly better than" when the difference is actually significant. Choose a more accurate phrase like "significantly better than" or "much better than" to reflect the true extent of the advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly better than" functions as a comparative expression. It indicates that one thing possesses a marginal advantage over another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage for making subtle comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly better than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a marginal improvement or advantage. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in written English and serves to make subtle comparisons without exaggerating the difference. As shown in the provided examples, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, use "slightly better than" to convey a moderate preference or superiority accurately. Be mindful not to use it when the improvement is actually significant, and explore alternative phrases to provide nuanced comparisons. Remember that being only "slightly better than" something else is not always enough to make a difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only slightly better than

Emphasizes the small margin of improvement.

marginally superior to

Indicates an even smaller degree of improvement than "slightly better than".

a bit better than

More informal, but conveys a similar level of improvement.

somewhat better than

Expresses a similar degree of improvement with a slightly more formal tone.

a shade better than

An idiomatic expression implying a minimal difference in quality.

modestly better than

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the limited extent of the improvement.

incrementally better than

Highlights the gradual or step-by-step nature of the improvement.

noticeably better than

Indicates a more distinct improvement than "slightly better than".

comparatively better than

Implies a relative comparison, focusing on the improvement in relation to something else.

hardly better than

Suggests that there is very little difference or improvement.

FAQs

How to use "slightly better than" in a sentence?

Use "slightly better than" to indicate a marginal improvement or advantage. For example, "The new model performs "slightly better than" its predecessor in terms of battery life".

What can I say instead of "slightly better than"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit better than", "somewhat better than", or "marginally superior to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slightly better than" or "slightly good than"?

"Slightly better than" is the correct phrasing. "Good" is an adjective that requires a comparative form ("better") when making comparisons.

What's the difference between "slightly better than" and "significantly better than"?

"Slightly better than" implies a small difference in quality or performance, while "significantly better than" suggests a substantial and noticeable improvement.