slightly higher

USAGE SUMMARY

'slightly higher' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a quantity which is a bit larger than another but not significantly. For example, "The temperature today is slightly higher than yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interest rates were slightly higher.

The New York Times

Other indexes ended slightly higher.

The New York Times

Taxes, though, are slightly higher.

The New York Times

Eni's production was slightly higher.

The New York Times

Prices are slightly higher Thursday.

The Guardian - Business

(The prevalence in children was slightly higher).

The New York Times - Health

(A second appraisal came in slightly higher).

The New Yorker

British rates might go slightly higher.

The Economist

Crude oil edged slightly higher.

The New York Times

Slightly higher, at 48.6percentt.

The Washington Post

Borrowing costs are notching slightly higher.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets or presenting statistical information, use "slightly higher" to precisely communicate a marginal increase. For example, "The Q2 sales figures were slightly higher than those of Q1."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly higher" when the increase is substantial. If the difference is significant, opt for terms like "considerably higher" or "substantially higher" to accurately reflect the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly higher" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that quantifies the degree to which something exceeds a reference point. It indicates a comparative relationship, specifying that something is a little beyond a certain level or measure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly higher" is a versatile phrase used to describe a marginal increase, as confirmed by Ludwig. With a neutral tone, it fits comfortably in diverse contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations. While "very common", be mindful of the degree of increase you are describing, opting for stronger terms if the difference is substantial. Remember, accuracy is key when using comparative language, and choosing the correct phrase enhances your communication. When in doubt, Ludwig can assist in refining your language to ensure precise and effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Marginally greater

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally" to indicate a small degree of difference; "greater" replaces "higher" to give an increased emphasis on measure.

Somewhat elevated

"Somewhat" offers a degree of change similar to "slightly," while "elevated" suggests a raised position or status.

A tad above

Uses a more informal tone with "a tad," but maintains the sense of a small increase using "above."

A shade over

Employs "a shade" to convey a minimal degree and "over" to denote exceeding a certain point.

Barely exceeding

Focuses on the action of exceeding, but emphasizes that it's done by a small amount.

A fraction taller

Replaces "slightly" with "a fraction" and "higher" with "taller", suitable when describing physical height.

Inching upward

Replaces "slightly" with the verb "inching," indicating slow movement, and "higher" with "upward."

Mildly surpassing

"Mildly" softens the degree of exceeding, offering a less intense version of being "higher."

Scarcely surpassing

Emphasizes how small the increase is by using "scarcely."

Modestly increased

Replaces "slightly" with "modestly" and "higher" with "increased", to emphasize a restrained rise.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly higher" to indicate a small increase compared to something else. For example, "This year's profits are "slightly higher" than last year's."

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

"Slightly higher" indicates a minor increase, while "significantly higher" implies a much larger, more noticeable difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of change.

What can I say instead of "slightly higher"?

You can use alternatives like "marginally greater", "somewhat elevated", or "a tad above" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "slightly higher" or "a little higher" in formal writing?

"Slightly higher" is generally more appropriate for formal writing due to its professional and precise tone. "A little higher" is acceptable in informal contexts.