slightly diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly diminished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small reduction in size, quality, or intensity of something. Example: "The team's performance was slightly diminished due to the absence of their star player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Excitement only slightly diminished by drawing Serbia.

The Guardian - Sport

Viewers of television had new – and slightly diminished – brains.

University of California, Berkeley

Fincher's film was always going to be slightly diminished".

The Guardian - Film

The quality is slightly diminished by still acceptable.

The New York Times

In their eyes, he has been, however slightly, diminished.

The Economist

The quality is slightly diminished but still acceptable.

The New York Times

When a metal bar under tension is elongated, its width is slightly diminished.

Britannica

Our evidence suggests that reversals are only slightly diminished with ambiguity.

Journal of Economic Psychology

"The function and beauty of the tapestry is slightly diminished with the removal of each thread.

The New York Times - Science

Bowie's voice, which is placed high in the mix, is only slightly diminished by age.

The New Yorker

If Mamet's play has the power of prophecy, it has slightly diminished as drama.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly diminished", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and by what degree. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a more precise understanding of the situation. For example, instead of saying "the impact was slightly diminished", specify "the impact of the new policy on unemployment was slightly diminished compared to previous years".

Common error

Avoid using "slightly diminished" when the reduction is actually significant. Overstating or understating the degree of change can mislead the audience and undermine the credibility of your writing. Use more appropriate terms like "significantly reduced" or "considerably lessened" when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly diminished" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun by indicating that something has been reduced or lessened to a small degree. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly diminished" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to describe a minor reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It appears frequently across diverse sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While simple, it's essential to use it precisely, ensuring the diminishment is indeed slight to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "somewhat reduced" or "marginally lessened" can offer similar meanings with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat reduced

Implies a decrease, but less specific about the degree.

marginally lessened

Focuses on a slight decrease in intensity or significance.

a bit weaker

Highlights a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

hardly perceptible decline

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing the decrease.

minimally impaired

Suggests a small reduction in functionality or quality.

modestly decreased

Indicates a decrease that is within reasonable limits.

faintly eroded

Suggests a gradual and subtle decline.

relatively trivial reduction

Points out that the reduction is insignificant.

notably softened

Highlights a decrease in harshness or intensity.

subtly curtailed

Implies a gentle restraint or reduction.

FAQs

What does "slightly diminished" mean?

The phrase "slightly diminished" means reduced to a small extent or degree. It suggests a minor decrease in size, quality, intensity, or importance.

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

You can use "slightly diminished" to describe a small reduction. For example: "The effectiveness of the treatment was "somewhat reduced" after the first week."

What are some alternatives to "slightly diminished"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat reduced", "marginally lessened", or "a bit weaker" depending on the specific context.

Is "slightly diminished" formal or informal?

"Slightly diminished" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations.