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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
slightly expected
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "slightly expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is anticipated to a small degree or in a mild manner. Example: "The rain was slightly expected given the weather forecast, but it still caught many people off guard."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
The newly generated triangles are again modified slightly expecting for a better rule base.
Mexico (Fig. 7) mirrors Colombia; term premia are slightly higher, expected interest rates slightly lower.
In the current situation, slightly higher expected inflation in the short term would likely stimulate spending of households and firms.
News & Media
However, net sales growth of 19.3% from a year ago to $1.69 billion came in slightly below expected levels.
News & Media
Furthermore the number of positive findings only deviates slightly from expected values based on percentile cutoff values.
Science
In this age group, patients with cementless or hybrid prostheses had slightly higher expected QALYs.
Science
Scores for test-retest reliability for the Energy subscale were slightly below expected values.
The same mating of bull 2 will generate animals with a slightly lower expected mBV, i.e. 2.23 σa.
Figures published last week indicated that housing starts dropped in June slightly, and slightly more than expected.
News & Media
In most years, over half anticipated spending the same, with slightly more expecting to show increased restraint than intending to indulge more lavishly.
News & Media
The observed deaths from leukemia are slightly less than expected in the refinery study and slightly more than expected in the distribution center study.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "slightly expected", ensure the context clearly indicates what was anticipated and to what degree. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "slightly expected" when the event was widely anticipated or considered highly probable. Opt for phrases that better reflect the actual level of surprise or predictability.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "slightly expected" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or situation. It indicates a moderate level of anticipation or predictability regarding a particular outcome or event. Ludwig AI suggests this is grammatically correct.
Frequent in
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "slightly expected" is grammatically sound and serves as a neutral descriptor indicating a moderate level of anticipation or predictability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While examples are currently limited, the phrase's adaptability across different contexts suggests its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what was anticipated and the extent of that anticipation, avoiding overstatement or ambiguity.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
mildly anticipated
Uses "anticipated" instead of "expected", emphasizing the anticipation aspect.
somewhat predictable
Replaces both "slightly" and "expected" with synonyms conveying a similar level of predictability.
partially foreseen
Emphasizes the predictive aspect with "foreseen", suggesting a degree of prior knowledge.
moderately anticipated
Uses "moderately" to indicate a slightly stronger level of expectation than "slightly".
kind of anticipated
Uses a more colloquial tone, replacing "slightly" with "kind of".
vaguely predicted
Emphasizes the prediction aspect but suggests a lack of precision with "vaguely".
somewhat looked-for
Uses "looked-for" to mean expected or anticipated.
marginally anticipated
Uses "marginally" to emphasize the small degree of expectation.
a little bit expected
Uses a more verbose, slightly less formal tone.
not entirely surprising
Frames the expectation in terms of a lack of surprise, rather than a direct anticipation.
FAQs
How can I use "slightly expected" in a sentence?
You can use "slightly expected" to describe an event that was anticipated to a small degree. For instance, "The dip in sales was "slightly expected" due to seasonal changes".
What are some alternatives to "slightly expected"?
Alternatives include "mildly anticipated", "somewhat predictable", or "partially foreseen". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.
Is it correct to say "a little expected" instead of "slightly expected"?
While "a little expected" is understandable, ""slightly expected"" is more grammatically sound and commonly used in formal writing.
What's the difference between "slightly expected" and "highly expected"?
"Slightly expected" suggests a mild anticipation, while "highly expected" indicates a strong anticipation or near certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of anticipation.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested