slightly more than

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly more than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used whenever you need to say that an amount is higher than a certain other amount, but not significantly higher. For example, "The ticket costs slightly more than ten dollars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Smokers were affected slightly more than nonsmokers.

The New York Times

That is slightly more than Michigan.

The New York Times

That's an average of slightly more than four per day".

The New York Times - Arts

Tata's market valuation comes to slightly more than $10 billion.

The New York Times

Slightly more than 200 were from five judicial districts.

The New York Times

Album prices run about $20, slightly more than traditional CD's.

The New York Times - Tech

He spent slightly more than a minute doing so.

The New York Times

UBS is paying slightly more than that for PaineWebber.

The New York Times

MINUSES: The movie is only slightly more than skin deep.

The New York Times

I think slightly more than half our fellow-guests came.

The New Yorker

Private companies spent slightly more than the government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly more than" to indicate a small difference, not a large or significant one. This helps maintain accuracy and avoids exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly more than" when the difference is substantial. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and weaken your argument. Choose a more appropriate phrase like "significantly more than" or "considerably greater than" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly more than" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that one amount or quantity is a bit larger than another. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to express a small difference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly more than" is a versatile and commonly used comparative quantifier indicating a small difference between two values. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Scientific writing. Remember to use it when you want to convey a minor excess accurately, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "a bit over" or "just above" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "slightly more than" in your writing to provide precise and nuanced comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just over

Implies the smallest possible excess over a given amount.

fractionally higher than

This stresses that the amount is only negligibly more.

a bit over

This is a more informal alternative, implying a small excess.

a shade more than

A more figurative and informal way to express a small increase.

marginally above

This choice suggests the amount is barely exceeding the limit.

somewhat greater than

This option is more formal and emphasizes a degree of difference.

scarcely exceeding

Underscores that the amount barely surpasses the reference point.

just a little beyond

This implies a minor extension past a certain point.

exceeding by a small margin

This option highlights the smallness of the difference.

notably in excess of

This is slightly more emphatic, indicating a clear, though still modest, difference.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly more than" to indicate that a value is a little higher than another value. For example, "The new model costs "slightly more than" the previous one".

What's a good alternative to "slightly more than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a bit over", "just above", or "marginally more than", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly more than" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly more than" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is a clear and precise way to indicate a small difference. However, consider using a more formal alternative like "somewhat greater than" if you prefer a more elevated tone.

What is the difference between "slightly more than" and "significantly more than"?

"Slightly more than" indicates a small difference, while "significantly more than" indicates a large and important difference. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference you are describing.