slightly significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly significant" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is somewhat important or noteworthy, but not to a great extent. Example: "Although the results were not statistically significant, there was a slightly significant trend in the data that warranted further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Business Research

Medicine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effect was weaker and only slightly significant for ideas for improvement (B = − 0.12, p <.10).

Business Research

However, compared to natives effects are smaller in magnitude and only slightly significant.

IZA Journal of Migration

Only the spatial autocorrelation of the prosecution rate is slightly significant (less than 0.1).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

It is also obvious from Table 4 that tensile strength loss slightly significant after the process.

Fashion and Textiles

Slightly significant associations were found between professional status and gender and teaching experience (see Additional file 1: Tables S6, S7).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The aggregated effect for tax-loss carry forwards is 0.0711 and slightly significant at the 10% level (p-value is 0.0956).

Business Research

Among the 20 data checked as potential predictive factors of diaphragmatic dysfunction, only 3 were slightly significant (height, weight, and BMI) for some of the information tested.

Annals of Intensive Care

Before harvesting, control plots had already a significantly higher complexity than the treated plots, but these differences were only slightly significant (Table 3).

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

For instance, Maurizio and Vazquez (2014) find a slightly significant but not robust increase in the unemployment rate of beneficiary women.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

However, only combining data from both malls we obtained a slightly significant estimate, while using data from mall A and B individually the estimates are not statistically significant.

European Transport Research Review

The soybean protein (P = 0.0005), sucrose (P = 0.0003), and pH (P = 0.0080) significantly influenced the reduction of B. subtilis spores, and the effect of bean oil on the reduction of B. subtilis spores was only slightly significant (P = 0.0810).

Journal of Food Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting statistical results, use "slightly significant" to accurately reflect the degree of importance or impact, avoiding exaggeration of findings. Always provide the p-value or confidence interval alongside to give context.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly significant" when the results are not statistically significant at all. Ensure that your data supports even a mild claim of significance before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly significant" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically describing the degree or extent of significance. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to qualify nouns related to statistical findings, results, or relationships, indicating a moderate level of importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

Formal & Business

12%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly significant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, particularly in scientific and formal contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to describe something of moderate importance, carefully avoiding exaggeration. While "slightly significant" is appropriate in formal writing, it's important to ensure data supports the claim and to avoid overstating significance. Alternatives like "marginally significant" or "weakly significant" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally significant

This alternative emphasizes the borderline nature of the significance, suggesting it barely meets the threshold.

weakly significant

This alternative highlights the feebleness of the significance, implying a less robust effect.

somewhat significant

This alternative uses a more general term to indicate a degree of significance that is not strong.

mildly significant

Similar to "somewhat significant", this term conveys a gentler, less pronounced level of significance.

barely significant

This option emphasizes the minimal level of significance, close to being not significant at all.

modestly significant

This phrase suggests a moderate degree of significance, avoiding exaggeration.

nominally significant

This alternative indicates that the significance is only in name, possibly without much practical impact.

partially significant

This phrase suggests that significance is present only in some aspects or conditions, not comprehensively.

inconsequentially significant

Highlights a level of significance so small that it has no real impact on a situation.

negligibly significant

This phrase indicates that the significance is so small as to be almost nonexistent or ignorable.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly significant" to describe a result or finding that shows some level of statistical importance, but not a high level. For example: "The correlation between exercise and weight loss was "slightly significant", suggesting a possible link."

What are some alternatives to "slightly significant"?

Alternatives include "marginally significant", "weakly significant", or "somewhat significant". The best choice depends on the precise nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly significant" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly significant" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly in scientific and statistical contexts, as long as the data genuinely supports this claim. Provide context with p-values or confidence intervals.

What's the difference between "slightly significant" and "highly significant"?

"Slightly significant" suggests a weak effect or correlation, while "highly significant" implies a strong and decisive effect. The choice depends on the strength of the statistical evidence.