slightly differently

USAGE SUMMARY

'slightly differently' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is slightly different than what has been mentioned previously, or when you are emphasizing the small differences between two items. For example, "This painting is slightly different than the other one – the colors are slightly different."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These dishes are prepared slightly differently in different cities.

Forbes

Sacraments are understood slightly differently in different Christian traditions.

Huffington Post

The scores are sometimes calculated slightly differently and use different scales.

Huffington Post

Each CPI measures inflation slightly differently and can include a different mix of goods and services.

Huffington Post

Each study uses different methods and defines autism slightly differently.

The New York Times

Slightly differently interactions between enzymes and samples causing different flow rates.

Journal of Molecular Liquids

Keep in mind also that different brands of jeans almost always fit and stretch slightly differently.

WikiHow

"They hit slightly differently".

The New York Times

He sees it slightly differently.

The New York Times - Style

Kelley sees things slightly differently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's just written slightly differently. . . .

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly differently" to clearly convey a nuanced difference, avoiding ambiguity. It's especially useful when comparing similar processes or perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly differently" when the change is substantial. If the difference is significant, opt for phrases like "significantly differently" or "markedly differently" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the variation.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "slightly differently" functions as a modifier, specifying the degree to which something deviates from a norm or another instance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage. This phrase typically modifies verbs or adverbs, adding a nuance of subtle variation as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly differently" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and usable nature across a broad spectrum of contexts, as demonstrated by its prevalence in news, scientific, and general writing. It serves to highlight subtle variations, suggesting a minor distinction rather than a complete change. While versatile, be mindful of overstating the actual degree of difference. For larger deviations, consider more descriptive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a subtly different manner

Emphasizes the subtlety of the difference in how something is done.

with a touch of modification

Implies that only minor adjustments have been made.

with a marginal variation

Highlights that the change is minimal and almost negligible.

in a finely nuanced manner

Stresses the delicacy and precision of the difference.

to a somewhat altered extent

Indicates a change in degree rather than kind, suggesting a partial alteration.

with a shade of difference

Implies a very subtle distinction, like different shades of the same color.

with a hint of divergence

Suggests a very small degree of deviation from a standard or norm.

in a negligibly distinct fashion

Indicates the distinction is so small it's almost not worth considering.

in a trivially altered form

Highlights that the alteration is so small it's almost insignificant.

in a barely perceptible way

Focuses on the difficulty of noticing the difference.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly differently" to indicate a minor variation between two things. For example, "While both methods achieve the same result, they approach the problem "slightly differently"."

What are some alternatives to "slightly differently"?

Alternatives include "subtly different", "marginally different", or "somewhat different", depending on the degree of variation you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little differently" instead of "slightly differently"?

Yes, "a little differently" is a valid alternative and conveys a similar meaning. However, ""slightly differently"" might sound more formal in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "slightly differently" and "completely differently"?

"Slightly differently" indicates a minor variation, while "completely differently" implies a total divergence in approach or outcome.