slightly change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly change" is grammatically correct and can be easily used in written English.
It is often used to describe a small or minimal alteration in something. For example: "I decided to slightly change the font size on my essay to make it more visually appealing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The man obviously worked very carefully to slightly change the language from these other books".

The New York Times - Books

However, he and Mr. Johnson warned that doing so may slightly change the surface sheen in the problem area.

The New York Times

Now, we've been doing this every year since 1995, we just of sort of slightly change the script every year.

The New York Times

"A subtle way to do so," they said, "would be to slightly change the task requirements of already common activities performed either during play or instructional situations".

The New York Times - Health

I subscribed to The Moth podcast, and every week somebody would tell me a true story that would, even if only slightly, change my life.

The Guardian

Incidentally there are certain teams who slightly change the way they play against us – you can see that in the data.

The Guardian - Tech

But if they could slightly change the way they do business, they would make a substantial dent in the cost of higher education and provide a real benefit to students and their parents.

The New York Times

Secondly, malware will often slightly change their behavior and communication patterns in order to evade detection.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

However, the UV-vis spectra slightly change due to the colour of the algae too.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Therefore, selecting the different values of (rho ) would only slightly change the rank order of attributes.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

The proposed treatment methods slightly change the toxic element leaching behaviours of the ash samples.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly change" when you want to indicate a small or subtle modification that doesn't drastically alter the original state or form. For instance, "I will slightly change the recipe to reduce the amount of sugar."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly change" when the modification is significant or transformative. Instead, consider phrases like "significantly alter" or "completely transform" if the change has a major impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly change" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of modifying something to a small extent. Ludwig AI affirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase. Examples show its use in various contexts, such as altering a recipe or adjusting a design.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly change" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a minor modification or adjustment. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, spanning from scientific literature to news articles. Its frequency is high, denoting its widespread applicability. When using "slightly change", ensure that the degree of change you are describing is indeed small and subtle, as overstating the modification can be misleading. Consider alternatives like "modify marginally" or "alter subtly" for nuanced expression. In conclusion, "slightly change" is a reliable and versatile phrase for expressing minor modifications in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify marginally

Indicates an even smaller degree of change than "slightly change".

alter subtly

Emphasizes the understated nature of the change.

adjust minimally

Focuses on the small amount of adjustment made.

revise incrementally

Highlights the gradual nature of the modification.

tweak gently

Suggests a delicate and careful adjustment.

make a minor adjustment

Specifies that the adjustment is of little importance.

introduce a small variation

Emphasizes the introduction of a slight difference.

effect a modest change

Implies that the change is limited in scope.

shift imperceptibly

Highlights that the change is so small that it's barely noticeable.

transform to a degree

Indicates that the transformation is not full or complete.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly change" to indicate a small adjustment or modification. For example, "We need to "slightly change" the design to meet the client's preferences."

What are some alternatives to "slightly change"?

Alternatives include "modify marginally", "alter subtly", or "adjust minimally" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slightly change" or "make a slight change"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Slightly change" is more concise, while "make a slight change" emphasizes the action of making the change. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of your sentence.

What's the difference between "slightly change" and "significantly change"?

"Slightly change" indicates a small, subtle modification, while "significantly change" implies a much larger, more impactful alteration. Use "significantly change" when the change is substantial and noticeable.