slightly grave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly grave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or demeanor that is somewhat serious or somber, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "Her expression was slightly grave as she delivered the news, indicating the seriousness of the situation without being overly dramatic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was a reserved and slightly grave figure, and talking with him was like being trapped with someone whose mind had no reach.

The New Yorker

Possibly his age – by this time he was 40 – and a slightly grave demeanour counted against him as a romantic lead, and he never displayed any leaning towards comedy.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For a child whose parents are about to take her and her friends to an extravagant indoor playground, this misfortune seems only slightly less grave than Gregor Samsa's wake-up discovery that he'd become a huge bug.

The New York Times - Arts

So we opted for a sombre burial in the Greenhouse, under the shade of the tallest of the mangroves, though in truth it meant a slightly watery grave after all, stuff seeping up through the muck to swallow the foot, bubbles of mud detaching and floating among us during our tiny, foot-size ritual observances.

The New Yorker

Extracting ancient DNA, particularly if the bones come from a site with poor conditions for preservation – such as the clay where Richard's uncoffined body was hastily buried in a slightly too short grave – is notoriously difficult.

The Guardian

Mr Paxton attacked his opponent, Dan Branch, for having proposed in 2005 an amendment to an amendment that would have made a pending abortion law slightly less stringent a grave offence.

The Economist

The roughly dug grave was slightly too short for his slight frame and he apparently went into it naked.

The Guardian

For the final solo the silken Michael Trusnovec is grave and slightly forlorn: his solo echoes Ms. Halzack's, but it is more frantic and, in a darker way, more knowing.

The New York Times - Arts

The hole should be bigger than a grave and slightly smaller than a suburban swimming pool and an intricate tunnel system if you plan on having a ballin' tunnel.

Vice

The prevalence of different genotypes in Graves' disease slightly differed in our groups compared to European population but was similar in control group: CC 55%, CG 37%, and GG 8%, and the alleles frequencies were 0.26 for G allele and 0.74 for C allele.

BioMed Research International

The feet were missing, and the skull was found in an unusual propped-up position, consistent with the body being put into a grave that was slightly too small.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly grave" when you want to convey a sense of seriousness that is present but not overwhelming. It is suitable for describing a person's demeanor or the atmosphere of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly grave" in contexts that require a more direct or stronger expression of seriousness. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound less precise. Consider stronger alternatives when the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly grave" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "slightly" modifies the adjective "grave". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing a state of seriousness that is not overwhelming.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly grave" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a subdued level of seriousness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's employed to describe situations or demeanors that possess a degree of solemnity without being overly dramatic. While relatively rare, its use is generally appropriate in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media. When aiming for clarity, consider alternatives like "somewhat serious" or "a bit solemn" to ensure precise communication of your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat serious

Emphasizes the presence of seriousness to a limited extent.

a bit solemn

Highlights a touch of solemnity or somberness.

mildly serious

Focuses on the moderate level of seriousness.

somewhat somber

Indicates a degree of subdued or melancholy feeling.

slightly serious

A direct synonym, emphasizing a mild degree of seriousness.

a touch grave

Uses "touch" to lessen the intensity of "grave".

moderately serious

Emphasizes the average degree of seriousness.

relatively serious

Indicates the seriousness compared to something else.

rather serious

Uses "rather" to signify a notable level of seriousness.

somewhat critical

Highlights seriousness associated with a potentially negative outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly grave" to describe a person's expression or the atmosphere of a situation. For instance, "Her expression was slightly grave as she delivered the news", or "The room had a slightly grave atmosphere after the announcement".

What are some alternatives to "slightly grave"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat serious", "a bit solemn", or "mildly serious" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a slightly grave" instead of "slightly grave"?

While grammatically possible, "a slightly grave" is not idiomatic. The phrase "slightly grave" functions as an adverb modifying an adjective, and does not typically require an article.

What is the difference between "slightly grave" and "very grave"?

"Slightly grave" indicates a mild level of seriousness, while "very grave" suggests a situation of utmost seriousness or importance. The degree of intensity is the key difference.