slightly improved

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly improved" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to indicate a small but measurable improvement in something. For example, "After the software update, the performance of the device was slightly improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After his transfer to the Supermax conditions only slightly improved.

The Guardian

Our defence is slightly improved compared to last year.

The Guardian - Sport

The world outlook is slightly improved with @AndrewBreitbart dead".

The New York Times

Their results have probably slightly improved, but is Wade Barrett really so much better than Coyle?

The Guardian - Sport

On Saturday night, the slightly improved heavyweight division produced two entertaining fights.

The New Yorker

I  felt seasick," she says, and things have only slightly improved.

The Guardian

But Seles took command again by capitalizing on Hingis's slightly improved but still inviting second serve.

The New York Times - Sports

The former Communists slightly improved their share, by about half a percentage point.

The New York Times

(As I recall, my manuscript was slightly improved as a result).

The New York Times - Tech

Among the relative bright spots last week were slightly improved ticket sales for plays.

The New York Times

Medtronic also intends to sell not just slightly improved products, but much better ones.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly improved", quantify the improvement whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying 'The fuel efficiency is slightly improved', specify 'The fuel efficiency is slightly improved, by 5%'. This adds precision and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly improved" when the change is actually significant. Using it to describe a major enhancement can undermine the impact of your statement and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly improved" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a minor level of enhancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and grammatically sound construction in English. It's frequently used to denote a small, often incremental, positive change or refinement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly improved" is a grammatically sound phrase widely used to describe a modest positive change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common construction in English. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news media, and business. While alternatives like "marginally enhanced" or "somewhat better" exist, "slightly improved" offers a precise way to communicate a limited degree of progress. When using this phrase, ensure the improvement is indeed minor to avoid misleading your audience. Remember to provide quantifiable data whenever possible to support your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally enhanced

Replaces 'improved' with 'enhanced', focusing on the act of increasing quality or value to a small extent.

somewhat better

Uses a more general comparative term ('better') qualified by 'somewhat' to denote a modest degree of improvement.

modestly enhanced

Replaces 'slightly' with 'modestly', conveying a similar sense of a limited positive change or addition.

noticeably better

Indicates that the improvement is perceptible or observable, although not necessarily substantial.

minimally enhanced

Highlights the small degree of improvement, suggesting it is at the lower end of the spectrum.

a bit better

A more informal way to express a small degree of improvement.

incrementally enhanced

Focuses on the gradual nature of the improvement, suggesting it occurred in small steps.

slightly ameliorated

Replaces 'improved' with 'ameliorated', indicating that something unpleasant or unacceptable is made better.

improved to a small extent

Explicitly states that the improvement is limited in magnitude.

seen a small improvement

Focuses on the observation of a small degree of betterment.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly improved" to describe a minor positive change or enhancement. For instance, "The new software update has "slightly improved" the application's performance."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slightly improved"?

Alternatives include "marginally enhanced", "somewhat better", or "modestly enhanced". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly improved" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly improved" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the context warrants its use. If the improvement is more significant, consider using a stronger phrase, such as "significantly improved" or "greatly enhanced".

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

"Slightly improved" indicates a small, often barely noticeable, positive change. On the other hand, "significantly improved" indicates a substantial and easily noticeable positive change.