slightly expanding

USAGE SUMMARY

'slightly expanding' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or process that is taking place to a small degree. Example: "The company is slightly expanding its product line to include more eco-friendly options."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This second polishing would flatten the impastos only slightly [94].

Heritage Science

Moving the sulfur to the 3-position only increases the activity slightly (7, IC50=280 n m).

ChemMedChem

The aspect solution changed only slightly (~0.01 arcsec).

Harvard University

Continue to simmer until thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.

The New York Times - Style

3. Simmer, covered, until sauce has blended and thickened slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Style

In 2011, the percentage fell slightly (191 journals or 31%), a minor improvement.

Harvard University

The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index rose slightly, 0.11 point, to 1,527.46.

The New York Times

For 2001, total ad pages were down slightly, 524 compared with 541 last year.

The New York Times

Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until mixture thickens slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.

The New York Times

This year, Pynchon, Roth, and Oates have been demoted (18/1), while DeLillo has been bumped up slightly (22/1).

The New Yorker

A really good one should be both memorable and useful, however slightly, 60 years later.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly expanding" to describe a small, incremental increase or growth in a specific area, such as a business "slightly expanding" its operations or a population "slightly expanding" in a region.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly expanding" when the growth or increase is actually significant. If the expansion is substantial, use stronger terms like "rapidly growing" or "significantly increasing" to accurately reflect the scale of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly expanding" functions as a present participle phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes an action that is currently happening to a small degree. The Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly expanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small, incremental increase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While no direct examples were found in the provided data, the phrase can be effectively used across various contexts to indicate a modest growth or expansion. Remember to avoid overstating the degree of expansion and consider using more appropriate terms if the growth is substantial. Related phrases such as "moderately increasing" or "marginally increasing" can be used to subtly adjust the nuance of your description. Be mindful of the scale of the change that you are describing to ensure your audience is receiving the right impression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally increasing

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally", suggesting a very small increase.

moderately increasing

Replaces "slightly" with "moderately", indicating a somewhat larger degree of increase.

gently growing

Substitutes "expanding" with "growing" and "slightly" with "gently", softening the image of increase.

gradually enlarging

Replaces "expanding" with "enlarging" and "slightly" with "gradually", emphasizing the process of becoming larger over time.

incrementally extending

Substitutes "expanding" with "extending" and "slightly" with "incrementally", suggesting a step-by-step increase in reach or scope.

somewhat broadening

Replaces "expanding" with "broadening" and "slightly" with "somewhat", focusing on widening rather than increasing in size.

mildly developing

Substitutes "expanding" with "developing" and "slightly" with "mildly", emphasizing a gentle emergence or growth.

slowly augmenting

Replaces "expanding" with "augmenting" and "slightly" with "slowly", highlighting a gradual increase.

progressively unfolding

Substitutes "expanding" with "unfolding" and "slightly" with "progressively", suggesting a gradual revelation or development.

a touch of expansion

Uses a noun phrase to express the idea of a small amount of expansion, replacing the verb phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly expanding" to describe a small increase or growth, such as "The company is "slightly expanding" its product line" or "The city's population is "slightly expanding"".

What are some alternatives to "slightly expanding"?

Some alternatives include "moderately increasing", "gently growing", or "marginally increasing", depending on the specific context and the degree of expansion you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "slightly expanding" or should I use a different tense?

"Slightly expanding" is grammatically correct and can be used in the present continuous tense. The choice of tense depends on the specific context; you might also use "slightly expanded" (past participle) or "slightly expand" (future tense) as appropriate.

What's the difference between "slightly expanding" and "rapidly expanding"?

"Slightly expanding" indicates a small, incremental increase, while "rapidly expanding" suggests a much faster and more significant growth rate. The choice depends on the actual rate of expansion you want to describe.