slightly longer than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slightly longer than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things to indicate that one of them is slightly more than the other. For example, "The curtains in the living room are slightly longer than the drapes in the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I guess it's slightly longer than a modern rhino". So that's something, I guess.

The Washington Post

Slightly longer than Earth ones.

The Guardian - Tech

Subsequent flagellomeres distinctly to slightly longer than wide.

Nature

Cut a piece of foil, slightly longer than the fillet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This goes on for slightly longer than we expect.

The New Yorker

The bill is slightly longer than the head and spatulate, giving the species its common name.

Cornell University

For this reason, an artist resume may be slightly longer than the standard one-page resume.

Columbia University

In most people, this master pacemaker runs slightly longer than 24 hours.

The Washington Post

The C C bond length is slightly longer than that of the polythiophene-based structures.

Nature

The two or three eggs laid within take slightly longer than a month to hatch.

Britannica

These testis-specific small RNAs, called 'piRNAs', are slightly longer than the previously described small RNAs.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly longer than", ensure the difference you are describing is indeed minor and not substantial. This maintains accuracy and avoids misleading your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly longer than" when the difference in length is significant. Overstating the difference can undermine your credibility and confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly longer than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a quality (length) to a degree that is somewhat greater than another noun. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

27%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly longer than" is a versatile comparative adjective phrase that indicates a minor difference in length, duration, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, and its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the difference you are describing is indeed minor to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "marginally longer than" or "a bit longer than" can be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally longer than

Indicates a difference that is even smaller or less significant.

a bit longer than

Uses more informal language to express a small difference in length.

somewhat longer than

Emphasizes the difference slightly more, though it's still small.

just a little longer than

Highlights the small degree of difference with added emphasis.

fractionally longer than

Implies the difference is measurable but very small.

scarcely longer than

Suggests the difference in length is barely perceptible.

almost imperceptibly longer than

Focuses on the difficulty of noticing the difference in length.

notably longer than

Expresses a clearer difference than the original query, being somewhat stronger.

a tad longer than

Uses informal language to denote a minimal increase in length.

exceeds in length slightly

Inverts the structure focusing on exceeding a particular length.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly longer than" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly longer than" to compare the lengths, durations, or sizes of two things, indicating that one is a bit more extended than the other. For example, "The movie was "slightly longer than" I expected."

What are some alternatives to "slightly longer than"?

Alternatives include "a bit longer than", "marginally longer than", or "somewhat longer than". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difference you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "slightly longer than" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly longer than" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and concise way to express a minor difference in length or duration.

What's the difference between "slightly longer than" and "much longer than"?

"Slightly longer than" indicates a small difference, while "much longer than" implies a significant difference. The choice depends on the actual difference you are describing. Using "slightly" suggests the difference is not substantial.