slightly misaligned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly misaligned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not perfectly aligned, but only to a small degree. Example: "The picture frame was slightly misaligned on the wall, so I adjusted it to make it straight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Kostov, V. B. et al. Kepler-413 b: a slightly misaligned, neptune-size transiting circumbinary planet.

Nature

Again, computers do the searching, looking for instances where, for one reason or another, the securities are slightly misaligned.

MIT Technology Review

The microstructural unit was found to be composed of thin expanded graphite discs with slightly misaligned basal planes of graphite.

Carbon

In a limit of slightly misaligned charges, this has a gauge theory description, where supersymmetry is broken by Fayet Iliopoulos D-terms.

Nuclear Physics B

This effect would be enhanced by the driver being slightly misaligned in the seat when he first gets in the car.

The New York Times

As a result, Mr. Mitnick recalled, he had to use his typewriter to manually add the "-91," thus explaining why the first two digits appeared to be in a different font and were slightly misaligned from the following seven digits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

On his final solve, he had been penalized two seconds because his puzzle had been misaligned by slightly more than the allowable limit.

The Guardian - Tech

Holes were misaligned, preventing bolts from slipping through them, and a few tubes were slightly torqued, like Twizzlers, and had to be swapped out.

The New Yorker

Finally, incentives are misaligned.

The Guardian

The deck boards were misaligned.

The New York Times - Magazine

It left incentives fundamentally misaligned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly misaligned" when you want to convey that something is not perfectly aligned, but the deviation is small and may not be immediately obvious. This phrase adds a nuance that avoids exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly misaligned" when the misalignment is significant or obvious. Opt for stronger terms like "misaligned", "askew", or "off-center" to accurately reflect the extent of the deviation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly misaligned" functions as an adverb-adjective combination. It modifies a noun by describing the degree to which it deviates from perfect alignment. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly misaligned" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions as an adverb-adjective combination to describe a minor deviation from perfect alignment. As Ludwig AI confirmes, the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and technical writing, where precision is valued. The phrase conveys that something is not perfectly aligned and should not be used when referring to something more obviously misaligned. Alternative expressions include "a bit out of alignment" and "somewhat askew". Overall, "slightly misaligned" is a useful and nuanced phrase to keep in your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit out of alignment

Indicates a small degree of misalignment, similar to "slightly misaligned".

somewhat askew

Describes a state of being turned or twisted to one side, implying a minor deviation from a straight line or symmetrical position.

marginally displaced

Highlights the idea of a small shift from the correct position.

a little off-kilter

Suggests a lack of balance or symmetry, indicating a minor imbalance.

partially skewed

Emphasizes a slight deviation from a horizontal or vertical axis.

imperfectly aligned

Directly states that the alignment is not perfect, but doesn't specify the degree of imperfection.

not quite straight

Specifically refers to a deviation from a straight line, implying a minor bend or curve.

subtly off-center

Indicates that something is not exactly in the middle, but the deviation is not easily noticeable.

minutely deviated

Emphasizes the very small degree of divergence from a standard or expected position.

almost in line

Suggests a near-perfect alignment, with a slight remaining discrepancy.

FAQs

How to use "slightly misaligned" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly misaligned" to describe objects or concepts that are not perfectly aligned. For example, "The picture frame was "slightly misaligned" on the wall" or "The data points were "slightly misaligned", indicating a minor error".

What can I say instead of "slightly misaligned"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit out of alignment", "somewhat askew", or "marginally displaced" depending on the context.

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

Both "slightly misaligned" and "a little misaligned" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific tone you wish to convey. "Slightly" might sound more formal, while "a little" is more casual.

What does "slightly misaligned" imply about the degree of misalignment?

The term implies that the misalignment is minor and perhaps not immediately noticeable. It suggests a small deviation from perfect alignment, rather than a significant or obvious discrepancy.