slightly exceeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly exceeds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a quantity or measurement is just above a certain limit or value, but not by a large margin. Example: "The final cost of the project slightly exceeds our initial budget estimate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the official Russian news agency RIA Novosti noted, "The sum slightly exceeds Volkov's annual salary".

The New York Times

The share of gross domestic product that American exports accounted for doubled over a similar period, and now slightly exceeds Japan's.

The New York Times

This strength in manufacturing means that the value of the north of England's exported goods slightly exceeds the value of its imported goods.

The Guardian

Even if global saving slightly exceeds 24% of world GDP in 2014, it is unlikely to remain that high for long.

The Guardian - Business

This slightly exceeds the figure of 49.4 percent who felt that way in October 2009, the month the unemployment rate peaked at 10.1 percent.

The New York Times

That ad revenue slightly exceeds what the airport used to earn from its share of user fees ($7.95 for 24 hours of access), according to Jim Winston, the airport's director for telecommunications.

The New York Times - Tech

Demand for Colorado River water already slightly exceeds the average annual supply when high levels of evaporation are taken into account, the researchers, Tim P. Barnett and David W. Pierce, point out.

The New York Times

From his beginnings as a proprietor of a single Australian newspaper, Mr. Murdoch now commands a news, entertainment and Internet enterprise whose $68 billion value slightly exceeds that of the Walt Disney Company.

The New York Times

0 5 5 7 8 2. e ncp slightly exceeds 1.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The spatial correlation slightly exceeds at and. Figure 2 Spatial correlation between 2 elements located at 45° and 90°, respectively.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, the target detector with manual labeling slightly exceeds the specialized detector for an FPPI that is less than 0.2.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data points, use "slightly exceeds" to show a minor difference; for example, "This year's profits slightly exceeds last year's earnings", instead of using a more emphatic "greatly surpasses" which could be inaccurate.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly exceeds" when the amount is actually substantial. Instead, opt for stronger terms like "significantly exceeds" or "greatly surpasses" when the difference is more pronounced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly exceeds" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one quantity or measurement is just above another. As supported by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. The examples show its utility in comparing data points or describing minimal differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly exceeds" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a quantity is just above a certain limit. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. Its usage is prevalent across various domains, especially in news, science, and formal writing, highlighting its relevance in precise data comparison. The phrase strikes a balance between formality and clarity, and can be replaced with similar terms like "marginally surpasses" or "just exceeds" for stylistic variation. The provided writing guidance emphasizes accurate usage, ensuring the phrase is employed when the difference is indeed marginal. As evidenced by numerous examples and Ludwig AI's analysis, "slightly exceeds" is a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally surpasses

Indicates exceeding by a very narrow margin; emphasizes the minimal difference.

just exceeds

Highlights the bare minimum of exceeding, focusing on the fact that it does surpass the limit.

barely exceeds

Similar to "just exceeds", but adds a sense of difficulty or near failure to exceed.

modestly surpasses

Implies a moderate level of exceeding, which is still relatively small but noticeable.

somewhat exceeds

Suggests a bit more of a difference than "slightly", but still not a substantial amount.

surpasses by a small margin

Directly states the exceeding is by a small amount, making it very explicit.

edges past

Suggests a narrow victory in exceeding, often used in competitive contexts.

inches beyond

Implies moving just a little over a certain point.

gradually surpasses

This alternative is useful to suggest a gradual increase, focusing on the process.

tips over

Emphasizes reaching a point where something starts to just exceed a limit.

FAQs

What does "slightly exceeds" mean?

The phrase "slightly exceeds" means that something is a little bit more than a specific amount. It indicates a marginal increase or difference over a certain limit or value.

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

You can use "slightly exceeds" to compare two values where one is marginally higher than the other. For example: "The project cost "slightly exceeds" the initial budget."

What are some alternatives to "slightly exceeds"?

Alternatives to "slightly exceeds" include phrases like "marginally surpasses", "just exceeds", or "barely exceeds". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "slightly exceeds"?

It's inappropriate to use "slightly exceeds" when the difference between two values is significant or substantial. In those cases, terms like "significantly exceeds" or "greatly surpasses" would be more fitting.