slightly moving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly moving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is in motion to a small degree or extent. Example: "The leaves were slightly moving in the gentle breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It was quite naff, but it wasn't mawkish; it was slightly moving really.

The Guardian

She just stood there, looking at us, shifting her stance slightly, moving her gaze from face to face.

The New Yorker

Coach Dave Lewis changed this line slightly, moving Yzerman onto the right wing, in place of Darren McCarty.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, he responded to ground controllers watching him from a camera rigged above his suit by slightly moving one leg to acknowledge their communications.

The New York Times - Science

Hillary Rodham Clinton has ticked back up slightly, moving from a net negative position in May of 45-49 favorable-unfavorable to a net positive position of 52-45 favorable-unfavorable.

The Washington Post

In fact, she says, after six years as one of the most active and visible parliamentarians on Twitter, she is "slightly moving away from being able to use social media".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

By contrast, it only slightly moves policy preferences (e.g., top income tax rates and transfer programs).

Harvard University

When the masks are slightly moved by the player's hand or body motion, their expression appears to change.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To disrupt the mycelial connection between litter and soil half of the litterbags were slightly moved, whereas others were left untouched.

Applied Soil Ecology

UV vis absorption spectra of different compositions exhibit that absorption edges of ZnIn2S4/CdIn2S4 composites slightly move towards longer wavelengths with the increment of CdIn2S4 component.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

For the intact hand task, we instructed the patients to slightly move the intact hand once at the cued time, without moving other parts of their bodies.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing subtle changes or shifts, use "slightly moving" to convey a sense of gentle, minimal motion. This phrase is particularly effective in scientific writing or descriptive narratives where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly moving" excessively when describing dynamic actions. In contexts where more vigorous movement is implied, opt for stronger verbs to avoid weakening the description. For example, instead of "the car was slightly moving forward", consider "the car crept forward".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly moving" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner of the verb. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It specifies the degree or extent to which something is moving.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly moving" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe minimal or subtle movement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of motion and consider alternatives like "gently shifting" or "mildly adjusting" for nuanced descriptions. Avoid overuse in active contexts and be mindful of maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gently shifting

Replaces "moving" with "shifting" to emphasize a gradual change in position.

mildly adjusting

Substitutes "moving" with "adjusting" to suggest a minor alteration.

barely budging

Emphasizes the minimal degree of movement or change.

scarcely stirring

Conveys a sense of very slight movement, often in a subtle or almost imperceptible way.

faintly progressing

Indicates a minor advancement or development.

imperceptibly altering

Highlights a change that is so slight it is difficult to notice.

softly transitioning

Implies a smooth and delicate change in state or position.

gradually displacing

Describes a slow and steady shift in location or arrangement.

delicately repositioning

Suggests a careful and precise adjustment of position.

subtly evolving

Implies a gradual and often unseen development over time.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly moving" to describe an object or subject undergoing minimal displacement or a subtle change in position. For example: "The curtain was "slightly moving" in the breeze."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slightly moving"?

Alternatives include "gently shifting", "mildly adjusting", or "barely budging", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "slightly moving" or "moving slightly"?

Both "slightly moving" and "moving slightly" are grammatically correct, but "slightly moving" typically modifies the verb more directly, emphasizing the nature of the movement itself. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.

Is "slightly moving" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "slightly moving" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical contexts where precise descriptions are necessary. The phrase accurately conveys a minimal degree of motion.