slightly in the future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly in the future" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time that is not far ahead, suggesting a minor delay or a near-term event. Example: "The project deadline has been pushed back slightly in the future, so we have a bit more time to finalize our work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"All these show the possibility for China's growth to slow slightly in the future.

The New York Times

And in another world, only slightly in the future, a vital gene is identified, ensuring optimism for all.

The Guardian

Some studies have found that while the number of hurricanes may dip slightly in the future, the most destructive events will actually increase.

The Guardian

For a start, it is set slightly in the future: Richard Dawkins is 10 years dead and his hostility to religious thought is the new dogma.

The Guardian - Books

The story is set in a London slightly in the future, where mankind is gradually losing its ability to use everyday technology.

Independent

I felt like the action was more or less contemporary, but I wonder if you picture it being set slightly in the future or earlier in the 21st century.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The employment rate is expected to increase slightly in the near future, and there will continue to be plenty of opportunities in a variety of jobs for people with a wide range of talents and interests.

Yale University

Survival from lung cancer remains desperately poor, at levels roughly similar to those for patients diagnosed 30 years ago (Coleman et al, 1999), although short-term survival may improve slightly in the near future.

British Journal of Cancer

Future projections of precipitation data in the Marsyangdi basin show that precipitation will decrease slightly in future in the meteorological station above the elevation of 3,400 masl while it will increase in other stations.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Given this underlying landscape, it may be that John Boehner chose a kind of rational irrationality these last two weeks — accepting the Kurtzian shutdown "strategy" in order to demonstrate its senselessness and persuade his members to behave slightly more sensibly in the future.

The New York Times

Whenever you need to use it for a slightly different subject in the future, simply do the same thing as you did this time and change each field to suit the particular situation that you need to send out a new memo for.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly in the future" when you want to suggest a minor shift in time, indicating something will happen soon but not immediately. This is particularly useful for discussing trends, projections, or plans that are not set to unfold dramatically or far into the future.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying on "slightly in the future" too frequently in formal writing can make your analysis seem less precise. Opt for more specific timeframes or alternative expressions like "in the near term" or "shortly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly in the future" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a time frame. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly in the future" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate events that are expected to occur in the near term, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. As a suggestion from Ludwig AI, remember to consider the context and audience to ensure that the level of formality aligns with the purpose of writing, and also consider alternatives such as "in the near future" or "soon" to avoid overuse. Ludwig's analysis also indicates the phrase is used in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, affirming its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the near future

Focuses on the proximity of the time frame, without necessarily implying a minor degree of futurity.

in the short term

Implies a focus on immediate or relatively close future developments.

in the coming days

Specifically refers to a very short time frame.

before long

Emphasizes the quickness with which something is expected to occur.

in the intermediate future

Specifies a period between the near and distant future.

down the line

Indicates a more distant, but still foreseeable, point in time.

in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to happen or appear soon.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at an appropriate time, without specifying when.

on the horizon

This idiom implies something is foreseeable but not immediate.

just around the corner

This idiom is informal and suggests something is very close to happening.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly in the future" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly in the future" to indicate that something is expected to happen soon, but not immediately. For example: "The company plans to release the updated software "slightly in the future"."

What are some alternatives to "slightly in the future"?

Alternatives include "in the near future", "in the short term", or "soon". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of precision required.

Is it better to say "slightly in the future" or "in the slightly future"?

"Slightly in the future" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "In the slightly future" is not grammatically correct.

How does "slightly in the future" differ from "far in the future"?

"Slightly in the future" implies a relatively short timeframe, while "far in the future" suggests a much more distant and potentially uncertain time. The choice between them depends on the timeframe you want to convey.