slightly constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly constrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is limited or restricted to a small degree. Example: "The project's budget is slightly constrained, which means we need to prioritize our spending carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The greetings were very English, and slightly constrained.

The New York Times

The early poems are generally pretty formal, dainty and slightly constrained – though often beautiful.

The Guardian

The suit was as small as his bulbous body allowed — it was inaccurate to speak of it as having legs, really — and this meant that his movements were always slightly constrained by the ever-present threat of the suit's ripping.

The New Yorker

In addition, we've been slightly constrained by the system we've used to implement this change, and the alternative was having avatar images so small you couldn't tell what was on them.

The Guardian

Abbi Jacobson, Eric Andre and Matt Berry all have specific anarchic streaks, yet here they all seem slightly constrained by a script that hasn't been tailored to their skillsets.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The enthalpy loss (Δha), normalized to the mobile amorphous content, has allowed to differentiate PLLA samples crystallized at different temperatures, because the samples crystallized at lower temperatures, characterized by a slightly constrained mobile amorphous fraction, exhibit a smaller enthalpy loss.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Eventually, he says, "The only thing I would say, as a former analyst, is that the piece of research was an excellent one". He is only slightly less constrained talking about his last job.

The Guardian - Business

Several Israelis said they thought that the book's reception in Israel — where expectations had been extremely high, in part because of the convergence of Grossman's life with the story — was slightly insincere, constrained by the universal sympathy toward its author.

The New Yorker

Several Israelis said they thought that the book's reception in Israel where expectations had been extremely high, in part because of the convergence of Grossman's life with the story was slightly insincere, constrained by the universal sympathy toward its author.

The New Yorker

This result suggests that genes with duplicates are slightly more constrained by selection than single-copy genes, which is counterintuitive.

BMC Genomics

Analysis of ARSs allowed us to identify a 17-bp consensus, similar to the S. cerevisiae ARS consensus sequence but slightly more constrained.

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly constrained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being limited and the degree to which it is limited. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly constrained" when the limitation is significant or severe. Using it in such cases can downplay the actual impact and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly constrained" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the extent to which something is restricted or limited. It qualifies nouns by indicating a mild degree of limitation, as supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly constrained" is a useful tool for expressing a mild degree of limitation or restriction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news media and scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what aspect is being limited to prevent ambiguity. While it is a valid phrase, users should avoid overstating the degree of constraint and consider alternatives like "somewhat restricted" or "marginally limited" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat restricted

Indicates a degree of limitation, similar to "slightly constrained", but emphasizes the act of restricting.

marginally limited

Focuses on the narrow margin by which something is limited, closely resembling "slightly constrained".

a bit hampered

Suggests that something is impeded or slowed down to a small extent, conveying a sense of mild obstruction.

mildly restricted

Emphasizes the gentleness or lack of severity in the restriction.

somewhat inhibited

Highlights the feeling of being held back or prevented from acting freely.

moderately confined

Implies a limited space or scope within which something can operate.

relatively restrained

Focuses on the comparison to a less restrained state, highlighting a degree of control or limitation.

partially impeded

Indicates that the obstruction or hindrance is not complete.

slightly encumbered

Suggests a light burden or obstacle that makes movement or progress a bit difficult.

a little confined

Similar to "moderately confined" but uses simpler language.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly constrained" to describe something that is limited or restricted to a small degree. For example, "The budget for the project is slightly constrained."

What are some alternatives to "slightly constrained"?

Alternatives include "somewhat restricted", "marginally limited", or "a bit hampered", depending on the specific context.

Is "slightly constrained" formal or informal?

"Slightly constrained" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, as it is a neutral and widely understood phrase.

What's the difference between "slightly constrained" and "heavily constrained"?

"Slightly constrained" indicates a minor limitation, while "heavily constrained" suggests a significant and impactful restriction.