slightly relevant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly relevant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a minor or limited connection to a topic or subject matter. Example: "While the article was interesting, it was only slightly relevant to my research on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the fiercely competitive market for graduate jobseekers, many applicants just apply to any position slightly relevant to their career goals.

The Guardian

"Men who have the slightly relevant experience will jump in without a second thought," said Barbara Lee, president of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which works to engage women in politics.

The New York Times

Of course, there are more readers, too, but that's only slightly relevant.

TechCrunch

But to make this response convincing, we need a proper, quantitative theory of confirmation that explains how a red shirt could be relevant to a hypothesis about ravens, but only just slightly relevant.

SEP

The relevance of the items was also assessed using a four-point rating scale: (i) not relevant, (ii) slightly relevant, (iii) relevant, and (iv) very relevant.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The relevance of each question included was assessed with a content validity index, CVI, on a four-point scale (1- extremely relevant, 2 – quite relevant, 3 – slightly relevant and 4 – not relevant) [ 28].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The final scene where Tommy Lee Jones mumbles about his dreams in a slightly thematically relevant way.

The Guardian - Film

The result is an updated "Family of Man," just as earnest as the original but rather less optimistic and only slightly more relevant.

The New Yorker

If that sounds slightly less relevant than the avalanche of points he scored, the trophies he helped secure and the admirable code of sportsmanship to which he always stuck, Lancaster is absolutely spot-on.

The Guardian - Sport

Ben E. King, "Stand By Me" The most famous of 1961's pop songs is almost a cliché by now, but it's slightly more relevant given the recent test of party (and national) unity over the debt crisis.

The New Yorker

"We think it is slightly less relevant for RBS in the near term - with less than two weeks of the current offer to run, if would be very strange if RBS tried to change the terms of its issue given its share price is languishing at a 35% discount to the underwriting price.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly relevant" when you want to indicate that something has some connection to the topic at hand, but it's not a major or central aspect. For example: "The data from that study is interesting, but only "slightly relevant" to our current project."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly relevant" when the connection is actually strong or critical. It can weaken your argument if you understate the importance of a key piece of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly relevant" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the degree of relevance. Ludwig AI shows this use is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly relevant" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase that indicates a minor connection or pertinence to a subject. Ludwig AI analysis shows its frequent use in scientific and news media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the degree of connection you want to convey; if the link is stronger, consider alternatives like "somewhat pertinent". Avoid using "slightly relevant" when the connection is actually strong, as it may weaken your message. As Ludwig AI confirms, understanding the nuances of such phrases enhances writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat pertinent

Indicates a degree of relevance that is less than fully applicable but still has some bearing.

marginally applicable

Implies that something barely meets the criteria for being considered relevant.

tangentially related

Suggests a connection that is indirect or peripheral.

remotely connected

Indicates a distant or tenuous link.

vaguely applicable

Implies a lack of clarity or precision in its relevance.

indirectly related

Suggests that the relevance exists through an intermediary or secondary association.

peripherally associated

Highlights the association is at the edge or boundary of the topic.

incidentally connected

Implies the connection is coincidental or not essential.

loosely tied

Indicates a weak or flexible connection.

nominally related

Suggests that something is related in name only, with little practical relevance.

FAQs

What does "slightly relevant" mean?

The phrase "slightly relevant" means having a small or minor connection to the subject being discussed. It indicates a low degree of importance or pertinence.

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

You might say, "While the information is interesting, it's only "slightly relevant" to our research question." This suggests the information isn't a primary focus but still has some bearing.

What are some alternatives to "slightly relevant"?

Alternatives include "somewhat pertinent", "marginally applicable", or "tangentially related". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slightly relevant" the same as "somewhat relevant"?

Not exactly. "Slightly relevant" implies a weaker connection than "somewhat relevant". "Somewhat relevant" suggests a more noticeable degree of pertinence, while "slightly relevant" emphasizes the minimal connection.