slightly preferable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly preferable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two options and indicating that one is marginally better than the other. Example: "While both options have their merits, option A is slightly preferable due to its lower cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

According to the Commission's "waste hierarchy" ranking of disposal practices, incineration is only slightly preferable to the detested landfills.

The New York Times

The best that can be said is that lending money to a poor city still looks slightly preferable to living in one.

The Economist

When the ST algorithm is concerned, Fig. 10 shows that detailed input data (seven time slices) are still preferable when the perturbation ε is zero and that aggregated input data (three time slices) are slightly preferable for ε ≥ 10.

European Transport Research Review

It has been thus confirmed that iodine concentration as low as 0.05 M in the EiPS electrolyte is slightly preferable in terms of stability and device performance, comparing with higher concentrations, 0.1 and 0.15 M, respectively.

Electrochimica Acta

This Asticle originally aProvine onotesE US.

Vice

Sign up now to get the Because VICE Canada delivered straigoingo your inbox.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The observation that one option is slightly more preferable than another although scoring equally, points to the fact that the decision makers experience is still a key factor in decision making.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Also, slightly downhill is preferable, because it makes it easier to maintain speed through the jump line.

WikiHow

It's preferable to have slightly under-ripe, yet sweet, grapes.

WikiHow

When Oxford ALD give you several variants as to how a word can be pronounced, you should use the first one as the rest are likely to be slightly archaic or otherwise not preferable.

WikiHow

We recommend that if only one clinician or several well trained clinicians are identifying the GT, the Marker Method is preferable owing to its slightly better clinimetric performance overall (Tables 5 and 6).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly preferable" when you want to indicate a marginal preference without strongly advocating for one option over another. It's suitable for situations where the difference is subtle.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly preferable" when there's a significant difference between the options. Overstating the subtlety can undermine the strength of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly preferable" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically indicating the degree to which something is favored or desired over another. It softens the preference, suggesting it is not a strong or decisive one. As shown by Ludwig, it works to add a nuance to comparisons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly preferable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English that indicates a mild preference. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness, particularly in scenarios where a subtle distinction is being made. While not particularly common, it is found across various domains including science, news and media. When writing, ensure that its mildness aligns with the actual degree of preference you want to convey, and avoid overstating the subtly when more significant differences exist. Consider using alternatives such as "marginally better" or "somewhat advantageous" to maintain precision in your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally better

Indicates a small degree of improvement or advantage.

somewhat advantageous

Implies a certain degree of benefit, though not substantial.

a bit more desirable

Highlights a slight inclination towards one option.

modestly superior

Suggests a limited degree of advantage.

somewhat favored

Highlights that one option is received more positively.

a shade better

Emphasizes a very subtle difference in quality or suitability.

barely superior

Indicates the superiority is only minimal.

negligibly preferred

Highlights how minute the preference actually is.

fractionally superior

Suggests the superiority is only a fraction.

incrementally better

Indicates a gradual or slight improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly preferable" to express a mild preference, such as "While both methods are effective, this one is "slightly preferable" due to its lower cost".

What are some alternatives to "slightly preferable"?

Alternatives include "marginally better", "somewhat advantageous", or "a bit more desirable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "slightly preferable" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly preferable" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when presenting balanced arguments or comparing options where the difference is not substantial. It is a neutral and professional way to express a mild preference.

What's the difference between "slightly preferable" and "much better"?

"Slightly preferable" indicates a small degree of preference, while "much better" suggests a significant difference in quality or suitability. Use "slightly preferable" when the advantage is minimal and "much better" when the difference is substantial.