slightly easier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slightly easier' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison between two objects or tasks that are similar but not identical. For example, "The mathematical problem I was given was slightly easier than the one I solved yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be slightly easier.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Progress makes the commanders feel slightly easier.

The Economist

This should make your coding slightly easier.

Cornell University

Albany might be slightly easier going.

The New York Times

Of course, holiday homes are slightly easier.

The Guardian - Arts

The game feels slightly easier though.

The Guardian - Tech

It's slightly easier with my family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bone china is slightly easier to manufacture.

Britannica

It also made the task slightly easier.

The New York Times

Sometimes it [institutional care] has been a slightly easier option".

The Guardian

It's slightly easier to upset people with movies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly easier" to make nuanced comparisons where the difference in difficulty is small but noticeable. This phrase is especially useful when you want to avoid exaggerating the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly easier" when the difference is substantial; choose a stronger adjective like "much easier" or "significantly easier" to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly easier" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something possesses a degree of ease that is greater than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly easier" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for making subtle comparisons of difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news articles and academic papers to general explanations. The phrase's prevalence in News & Media indicates its widespread use in everyday communication. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a minor difference in ease without overstating the change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat easier

Replaces 'slightly' with 'somewhat', suggesting a similar degree of ease.

a bit easier

Uses "a bit" instead of "slightly", offering a more informal tone.

marginally easier

Replaces 'slightly' with 'marginally', indicating a minimal difference in ease.

a little easier

Similar to "a bit easier", but sounds even more colloquial.

relatively easier

Indicates the ease is dependent on what is being compared to, adding context.

noticeably easier

Emphasizes that the difference in ease is perceptible or clear.

palpably easier

Implies the ease is quite obvious and easily felt.

comparatively easier

Highlights the comparison, explicitly stating that the ease is relative.

somewhat less challenging

Shifts the focus from 'easier' to 'less challenging', providing a nuanced alternative.

a shade easier

Uses "a shade" to convey a very slight difference in ease, adding a touch of subtlety.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly easier" to compare the difficulty level of two tasks. For example, "The new software made the process "slightly easier" than before".

What alternatives can I use instead of "slightly easier"?

Alternatives to "slightly easier" include "somewhat easier", "a bit easier", or "marginally easier". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "slightly easy" instead of "slightly easier"?

While "slightly easy" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""slightly easier"" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. "Easier" is the comparative form of "easy", making it more suitable for comparisons.

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

"Slightly easier" indicates a small difference in difficulty, while "significantly easier" suggests a much more substantial reduction in difficulty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference.