slightly further

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly further" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small distance or degree of something. Example: The store is located slightly further down the road, past the gas station.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, he's gone slightly further.

The Guardian

Jump forward slightly further and we alight on further bounty.

The Guardian - Film

We shuffled slightly further away along the settee.

The Guardian - Music

That's partly because people live slightly further from school than they did a decade ago but only slightly further.

The Economist

A lawyer for the company, Catherine S. Nietzel, went only slightly further.

The New York Times

He was then at the station in Luddendenfoot, which is slightly further on towards Hebden Bridge.

The Guardian - Travel

Had it been slightly nearer or slightly further away, victory would still have been theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

It was the same story slightly further out of the limelight.

The Guardian - Music

Scotland, which is also introducing a deposit return scheme is slightly further ahead.

The Guardian

Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan advised students they might get cheaper accommodation slightly further away from campus.

The Guardian

Her second novel, The Wonder, shifts slightly further south in London, to Notting Hill.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly further" to add precision when describing relative positions or progressions. It helps avoid ambiguity by indicating a small and noticeable difference.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly further" when the degree of difference is negligible or irrelevant. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead, consider more concise alternatives like "nearby" or omitting the qualifier altogether if the difference is insignificant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly further" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying the comparative adjective "further". It indicates the degree to which something is more distant or advanced. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Opinion

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly further" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial modifier that indicates a small increase in distance, degree, or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts and is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing. Its primary function is to add precision to descriptions, clarifying that the difference or progression is noticeable but not substantial. To ensure clarity and avoid redundancy, it's best to reserve "slightly further" for situations where the small difference is contextually meaningful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little further

Indicates a small increment, similar to "slightly further" but uses more common vocabulary.

somewhat farther

Synonymous, employing a different adjective to express a similar degree of increased distance.

marginally ahead

Indicates a small degree of advancement, focusing on relative position rather than pure distance.

a shade beyond

Offers a more nuanced, almost poetic, way to express a slight progression past a certain point.

just a step more

Implies a minimal advance, focusing on the ease and smallness of the progression.

fractionally onward

Uses more formal language to express a minute advancement in a forward direction.

by a whisker

Idiomatic expression indicating a very small margin of difference or progression.

scarcely more distant

Emphasizes the minimal difference in distance, highlighting how close things still are.

barely surpassing

Focuses on the act of exceeding a limit or point by a narrow margin.

ever so farther

Emphasizes the subtle increment using more poetic and emphatic language.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly further" to indicate a small increase in distance, degree, or extent. For example, "The destination is "slightly further" down the road" or "The experiment was "slightly further" along than we anticipated."

What are some alternatives to "slightly further"?

Alternatives include "a little further", "somewhat farther", or "a shade beyond" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slightly further"?

Yes, "slightly further" is grammatically correct. "Slightly" is an adverb modifying the adjective "further", indicating a small degree of increase.

When should I use "slightly further" instead of "much further"?

Use "slightly further" when the difference is small and noticeable, but not substantial. If the difference is significant, "much further" would be more appropriate.