slightly more

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly more" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe a degree above the average or middle point. For example, "He scored slightly more than the average on the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only slightly more tacky.

Independent

"I've become slightly more hirsute.

The New Yorker

Jonny looks slightly more nervous.

The Guardian - Sport

Slightly more likely.

The Guardian - Film

Slightly more private investors hold the rest.

The New York Times

Smokers were affected slightly more than nonsmokers.

The New York Times

Before then, conditions look slightly more variable.

Independent

The income data were slightly more complicated.

The Economist

That seems slightly more plausible to me.

The New Yorker

The optics were slightly more impressive, too.

The New York Times

A slightly more rounded Boris, then.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly more" to indicate a small but noticeable increase or difference. Ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly more" when the difference is actually substantial. This can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly more" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a degree or extent to which something is greater than another. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it modifies adjectives or adverbs to denote a marginal increase. Examples show its utility in various contexts, as it can make differences clear in news, media and academic sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly more" is a versatile phrase used to express small increases or differences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can be applied across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and wiki-based sources. While it's crucial to avoid overstating differences, the phrase is appropriate for academic and professional writing when precision is needed. Consider alternatives like "a bit more" or "marginally higher" for different tones, and always ensure your comparisons are clear and contextually relevant. This can add nuance to any type of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit more

Uses 'a bit' for a more informal and colloquial feel, indicating a small increase.

just a little more

Uses 'just a little' to convey a very small degree of increase, making it slightly more emphatic.

somewhat greater

Replaces 'slightly' with 'somewhat', indicating a similar but potentially less precise level of increase.

a shade more

Employs 'a shade' to imply a barely perceptible difference or increase.

marginally higher

Replaces 'slightly' with 'marginally', emphasizing a minimal difference or increase.

ever so slightly more

Adds 'ever so' to emphasize the minimal nature of the increase, making it more delicate.

barely more

Indicates that the amount is only just above the minimum required or expected.

fractionally larger

Emphasizes the smallness of the increase by using 'fractionally', suggesting a minor difference in size.

scarcely more

Replaces 'slightly' with 'scarcely', indicating that the increase is minimal and almost not worth mentioning.

negligibly greater

Highlights the insignificance of the increase, implying it's almost unnoticeable.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly more" to indicate a marginal increase or difference, as in "The updated version is "slightly more" efficient than the previous model".

What's a more formal alternative to "slightly more"?

For formal contexts, consider phrases like "somewhat greater" or "marginally higher" as alternatives to "slightly more".

Is it appropriate to use "slightly more" in academic writing?

Yes, "slightly more" is appropriate in academic writing when you need to express a small difference or increase without exaggerating it. Ensure your statement is supported by evidence.

How does "slightly more" differ from "much more"?

"Slightly more" indicates a small difference, while "much more" suggests a significant and substantial difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference you are describing.