slightly inattentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly inattentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not fully focused or paying attention, but only to a small degree. Example: "During the meeting, I noticed that he seemed slightly inattentive, often looking at his phone instead of engaging in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Atmosphere: Elaborate two-level dining room; somewhat inattentive service.

The New York Times

Largely the same pattern as for the entire sample was observed in patients with the ADHD combined type, while patients with the predominantly inattentive ADHD-subtype displayed a slightly higher degree of agreement with their parents and physicians (n. s).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

The mean CGI-S-ADHD scores of the predominantly inattentive subtype tended to be slightly lower than the scores of the combined type over the entire course of the study, but the differences did not reach statistical significance.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Those who deal with him hint that, despite slightly better health of late, he is still inattentive and ill-informed.

The Economist

CI = Confidence Interval With respect to GIPD total scores for different ADHD subtypes (Table 2), parents and physicians at baseline rated the ADHD-related difficulties of the adolescents with combined subtype as slightly more severe than the difficulties of the predominantly inattentive subtype (n. s).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

There is support for the distinction of Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive symptom groups in ADHD because they lead to slightly different types of social impairments [ 31] and behaviour styles.

BMC Psychiatry

A warning sounds, accompanied by a visual reproach: "Time for a Rest?" The system in the Volvo XC60 operates on a slightly different principle, monitoring lane markers and looking for "micro corrections" in the steering that inattentive drivers tend to make.

The New York Times

Shelby sat, inattentive, distracted.

The New Yorker

Service was inattentive.

The New York Times

SERVICE Friendly but inattentive.

The New York Times - Food

Casual, inattentive service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's behavior, use "slightly inattentive" to convey a mild and temporary lack of focus, rather than implying a more serious or chronic condition. For example, "He seemed slightly inattentive during the lecture, perhaps due to fatigue."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly inattentive" when the context suggests a significant or consistent problem with attention. Using "very inattentive" or phrases like "consistently distracted" might be more appropriate if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly inattentive" functions as a descriptor, specifically modifying a noun to indicate a mild or moderate level of inattention. It acts as an adjectival phrase, adding detail to the subject being described. Ludwig's examples confirm this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly inattentive" is a grammatically correct descriptor used to indicate a mild degree of inattention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts, implying a neutral register. When writing, be mindful of the degree of inattention you wish to convey, ensuring "slightly inattentive" accurately reflects the situation. If a stronger term is needed, consider alternatives like "very inattentive" or "consistently distracted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unfocused

Replaces "inattentive" with "unfocused", maintaining the mild degree of attention deficit but shifting the emphasis.

a bit distracted

Emphasizes the external factors causing the inattention, suggesting a temporary diversion of focus.

mildly absent-minded

Highlights the mental state of being inattentive, implying a gentle detachment from the present.

a little preoccupied

Suggests that the inattention stems from being absorbed in one's thoughts or concerns.

somewhat neglectful

Shifts the focus to the consequences of inattention, suggesting a minor failure to fulfill responsibilities.

rather unobservant

Focuses on the lack of attention to details and surroundings.

marginally careless

Implies a small degree of negligence or lack of caution due to inattention.

somewhat remiss

Suggests a slight lapse in attention to duty or obligation.

minimally unheeding

Emphasizes the lack of attention to warnings or advice.

a touch forgetful

Highlights the potential memory lapses associated with being inattentive.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly inattentive" to describe someone who is showing a mild lack of focus or attention. For example: "The student seemed "slightly inattentive" during the lesson, but still managed to answer the questions correctly."

What's the difference between "slightly inattentive" and "very inattentive"?

"Slightly inattentive" implies a minor and perhaps temporary lack of focus, while "very inattentive" suggests a more significant and persistent issue with attention.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to use "slightly inattentive"?

Yes, it's inappropriate if the context suggests a severe or chronic attention problem. In such cases, stronger terms like "severely distracted" or "chronically unfocused" might be more fitting.

What are some alternative phrases to "slightly inattentive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat distracted", "a bit preoccupied", or "mildly absent-minded" as alternatives to ""slightly inattentive"".