slightly heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly heard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that is faint or not clearly audible. Example: "In the quiet room, a melody was slightly heard from the neighboring apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the end of a seven-item Radar day, I find myself in a humming emotional state I've come to think of as excited indifference — a state brought on by daily onslaughts of highly specific information about people I've either never heard of or slightly heard of.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If they are breathing, you should either see their chest rising and falling slightly, hear breathing noises or feel their breath against your cheek.

WikiHow

Mr. Cox said that as the car slowed slightly, he heard a gunshot and the sound of breaking glass.

The New York Times

Please adjust your dials ever so slightly to hear more of us from around Asia, as we define it generously.

The Economist

As he was counted down, he lowered his windows slightly to hear the engine and wheels better, then took off through the first gate.

The New York Times - Travel

"A half of a percentage point wasn't going to please anyone, said Basel, acknowledging that stocks rallied slightly after hearing the Fed's language.

Forbes

However, the patient additionally demonstrated severe problems with speech understanding and production and slightly degraded hearing acuity, and therefore these findings cannot be generalised over the whole population with (C APD.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Try rewording slightly: "I've heard so many nice things about you".

The New York Times

Then the lion moved very slightly and Hemingway heard Mary's rifle go and the dry whack of the bullet hitting him.

The New Yorker

I have heard slightly drunk men argue for a good half-hour over whether it's better to go "upstairs" or "downstairs" on the Lincoln Tunnel helix.

The New York Times

A similar rapping, slightly louder, is heard at his window.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly heard" to describe sounds that are barely perceptible or noticed, adding a subtle nuance to descriptions of auditory experiences.

Common error

While "slightly heard" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise language depending on the context, such as "faintly audible" or "barely perceptible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly heard" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a passive verb. "Slightly" modifies the verb "heard", indicating the degree to which something was heard, suggesting a faint or barely perceptible auditory experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly heard" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe sounds that are faint or barely audible. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Although not very common, it appears in a variety of reputable sources, primarily in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, consider the nuances of alternatives like "faintly audible" or "barely audible" to ensure the most precise description. Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more technical language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faintly audible

Focuses more on the audibility of the sound itself, rather than the act of hearing.

barely audible

Emphasizes the difficulty in hearing the sound.

dimly perceived

Shifts the focus to perception in general, not exclusively auditory.

softly heard

Indicates a low volume of the sound.

indistinctly heard

Highlights the lack of clarity in the sound.

partially heard

Suggests that only some parts of the sound were received.

vaguely heard

Implies uncertainty or lack of detail in the hearing.

scarcely heard

Stresses the rarity or infrequency of hearing the sound.

almost heard

Suggests that the sound was on the verge of being heard but not quite.

just audible

Highlights the sound being at the limit of what can be heard.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly heard" to describe a sound that is faint or not clearly audible. For example: "The music from the distance was "slightly heard" through the closed windows."

What are some alternatives to "slightly heard"?

Alternatives include "faintly audible", "barely audible", or "softly heard", each offering a subtly different shade of meaning.

Is "slightly heard" grammatically correct?

Yes, "slightly heard" is grammatically correct. "Slightly" is an adverb modifying the verb "heard."

What's the difference between "slightly heard" and "just heard"?

"Slightly heard" implies a faintness or lack of clarity, while "just heard" indicates the immediacy of the sound being received.