slightly greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly greater" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two quantities or values that differ by a small amount. Example: "The new model is slightly greater in efficiency compared to the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Sun's fall was slightly greater, at 8.6%.

The Guardian

(It's now slightly greater than the island's total GNP).

The Guardian - Opinion

Companies expressed slightly greater satisfaction with their current business situation.

The Guardian - Business

He also signaled a slightly greater receptiveness to some gun-control proposals.

The New York Times

The distance between rows is also slightly greater than the industry standard.

The New York Times

The Pearl River delta still has a slightly greater economic output and exports.

The New York Times

Born in the year of the dog, I have a slightly greater affinity with them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The most affluent tenth of the country saw a slightly greater rise in volatility.

The New York Times - Books

Americans over 30 showed a slightly greater tendency toward monogamy than their French counterparts.

The New York Times - Science

"There were some bright spots, but a slightly greater number of not-so-bright spots".

The New York Times

Ketchup and cookies may be flowing to Gaza in slightly greater quantities than before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly greater", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison. Specify what is being compared to what for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly greater" when the difference is substantial. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader about the magnitude of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly greater" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is marginally larger or more significant than another. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing relative differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly greater" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a marginal difference between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in both scientific and journalistic contexts, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Avoid overstating differences, and consider alternatives like "marginally larger" or "somewhat bigger" depending on the desired tone and level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally larger

Focuses on size or quantity, implying a small difference in physical dimensions or amount.

somewhat bigger

Emphasizes size, suggesting a modest increase in magnitude.

modestly increased

Indicates a slight upward change or growth.

fractionally higher

Implies a small increase in a measurable quantity or value.

a tad more

Uses a more informal tone to indicate a minimal increase.

a bit bigger

Similar to "a tad more" but with a slightly more common usage.

incrementally superior

Highlights a small but noticeable advantage or improvement.

only just greater

Highlights the minimal difference between two values.

barely exceeding

Stresses that something is only just above a certain level or amount.

hardly exceeding

Similar to "barely exceeding" but emphasizes the minimal nature of the difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly greater" to compare two values where one is marginally larger than the other. For example, "The updated version has a "slightly greater" capacity than its predecessor."

What are some alternatives to using "slightly greater"?

Alternatives to "slightly greater" include phrases like "marginally larger", "somewhat bigger", or "a tad more", depending on the desired level of formality and the context.

Which is correct, "slightly greater" or "a little greater"?

Both "slightly greater" and "a little greater" are grammatically correct, but "slightly greater" often carries a more formal tone than "a little greater".

What's the difference between "slightly greater" and "significantly greater"?

"Slightly greater" indicates a small difference, while "significantly greater" indicates a substantial and noticeable difference. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the difference you are describing.