slightly incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not entirely accurate or has minor errors. Example: "The report was slightly incorrect, but the overall findings were still valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But even that was slightly incorrect.

The New York Times

"This impression of an absolutely eye-wateringly large overspend is probably slightly incorrect," he said.

The Guardian

I was never comfortable with using my real name so the name had been slightly incorrect and birth date a complete fabrication when I signed up.

The Guardian - Tech

My predecessor in columny was only slightly incorrect: the nobles of Bohemia, following a tradition started in 1419, did throw two imperial officials and a secretary out of a window of the Hradschin Palace in Prague.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a pity that the very historic buildings around vibrant Rittenhouse Square mentioned in Escapes are slated for demolition; Smarty Jones lost; and the glowing report about "regenerating rundown neighborhoods" is slightly incorrect.

The New York Times

The quality of the selection is measured by the expected opportunity cost, which penalizes particularly bad choices more than the slightly incorrect selections and is preferred by risk-neutral practitioners and decision makers.

Automatica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And he demonstrated a dry and slightly politically incorrect wit by commenting that "a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me".

The Guardian

Recent noteworthy examples that have premiered on the state-sponsored YouTube channel include a screed featuring President Barack Obama engulfed in flames, citizens wading into waist-high water to hysterically cheer their leader and a precise (if slightly geographically incorrect) animation tracking the proposed trajectory of a North Korean nuclear attack.

Huffington Post

These six items all appear in blocks of questions formulated as statements with response categories indicating how well the statement fits the respondent's situation ("Correct", "Almost correct", "Somewhat correct", "Only slightly correct", "Incorrect").

BMC Medical Research Methodology

DNase treatment is not 100%, and presence of gDNA, although minor, will result in an incorrect, slightly higher Ct value due to logarithmic amplification.

BMC Cancer

One publication described it as "a beautiful present from the referee" Ovidiu Hategan, who was roundly disparaged on social media in slightly more colourful, politically incorrect and racially abusive terms by Lisa Evans, the wife of defender Corry, who was incorrectly penalised for the handball that led to the Swiss spot-kick.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly incorrect" when you want to convey that something is not entirely accurate, but the error is minor and likely inconsequential. This is appropriate for scenarios where precision is not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly incorrect" when the inaccuracy is significant. Using it in such cases can downplay the severity of the issue and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly incorrect" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. It modifies a noun or concept to indicate that it is not entirely accurate, but only to a minor extent. The examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, all conveying this sense of minor inaccuracy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly incorrect" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate a minor degree of inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While it's important to use it judiciously to avoid downplaying significant errors, "slightly incorrect" serves as a useful tool for conveying nuanced information where precision is not paramount. Alternatives like "somewhat inaccurate" or "marginally wrong" can provide subtle variations in meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly inaccurate

Like "slightly inaccurate", but "mildly" can suggest a gentler or less consequential error.

marginally wrong

Emphasizes the small degree to which something is incorrect; conveys a sense of being just barely off.

a little inaccurate

Highlights the inaccuracy, though the term "little" emphasizes its minor extent.

somewhat inaccurate

Indicates a degree of inaccuracy, but may suggest a slightly larger margin of error than "slightly incorrect".

only partially correct

Highlights that only some aspects are right, implying the presence of some degree of error or inaccuracy.

not quite right

Suggests that something is askew without necessarily implying a measurable error.

somewhat off the mark

Implies that something is not aligned with a target or standard, with "somewhat" indicating a moderate deviation.

not entirely accurate

Suggests a broader scope of inaccuracy, although still indicating a deviation from full correctness.

a bit off

A more informal way of saying something is not entirely correct, suitable for casual contexts.

barely precise

Conveys that something is precise only to a minimal extent, implying a potential for inaccuracy.

FAQs

What does "slightly incorrect" mean?

The term "slightly incorrect" indicates that something is not entirely accurate, but the error or deviation is minor. It implies a small degree of inaccuracy.

How to use "slightly incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly incorrect" to describe information, calculations, or statements that are not entirely accurate. For example: "The figures in the report were "somewhat inaccurate", but the overall conclusion was still valid."

Which is correct, "slightly incorrect" or "a little incorrect"?

Both "slightly incorrect" and "a little incorrect" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "slightly incorrect"?

Some alternatives to "slightly incorrect" include "somewhat inaccurate", "marginally wrong", or "a bit off". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.