slightly simpler

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly simpler" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you'd like to compare two things and note that one of them is slightly simpler than the other. For example, "This alternative route is slightly simpler than the one we normally take."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

A slightly simpler take on the theme was my standard dinner party dish in my student years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why buy a $10,000 device if the same firm makes a slightly simpler one for $1,000?

The Economist

In 1905 an unknown architect designed an addition on the west side, slightly simpler but with matching trim carried around the facade.

The New York Times

Whatever was going on in there, it likely offered a slightly simpler model of what goes on in our brains when we have a rewarding moment like that one a drink of water after a day on Drierite.

The New Yorker

Whatever was going on in there, it likely offered a slightly simpler model of what goes on in our brains when we have a rewarding moment like that one — a drink of water after a day on Drierite.

The New Yorker

While the poems are slightly simpler in diction than the typical Nabokovian sentence, his fondness for half-­dollar words is still much in evidence: over the course of 10 pages, we get "prototypic," "anchoret," "scholiastic" and "dendrologists".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I'm slightly simple.

The Guardian

Working on the principle that "ya gotta git a man in the way a man gits got," H.C and the boys -- Noah, the overprotective and emotionally limited older brother, and Jimmy, the slightly simple but beautifully spirited younger brother, played skillfully by Keith C. Beechey and Matt McCarthy -- pay a visit on File, the sheriff's deputy who has a checkered marital past.

The New York Times

There's a simple note of uplift in the title track, and a slightly less simple one in the opener, "In the Meantime," which has her declaring that "the greatest days we've ever known/Are the ones we're livin' in".

The New York Times - Arts

Things may actually be slightly less simple — and they should be put in perspective in the frame of the modern history of Islamism and its decline.

The New York Times

This system has a binary azeotrope for the water-ethanol mixture, which leads to a slightly curved simple distillation boundary between the azeotrope and pure methanol.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly simpler" when comparing two options or methods, and you want to convey that one requires marginally less effort or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly simpler" when the difference in complexity is substantial. Overstating the simplicity can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly simpler" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a lesser degree of complexity compared to something else. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to qualify the degree of simplicity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly simpler" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to express a minor difference in complexity between two things. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. It's suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic writing. Be mindful not to overstate the degree of simplicity. Use alternatives such as "marginally easier" or "a bit more straightforward" when appropriate. To conclude, the primary function of this phrase is to provide a comparison, so do so when a small differentiation exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally easier

Focuses on ease rather than complexity, with a similar degree of difference.

somewhat less complex

Emphasizes the reduction in complexity, using "somewhat" to indicate a slight degree.

a bit more straightforward

Highlights directness and ease of understanding, implying reduced complexity.

fractionally less intricate

Focuses on the detail and nuance, indicating a small reduction in intricacy.

barely simplified

Implies that simplification has occurred, but only to a minimal extent.

minimally refined

Suggests small adjustments or improvements toward simplicity or clarity.

somewhat streamlined

Highlights efficiency and directness, suggesting a reduction in unnecessary steps or elements.

a touch less complicated

Highlights a small reduction in the amount of complication.

hardly more basic

Implies minimal change to the fundamental elements.

just a shade easier

Highlights minimal change and focuses on ease instead of complexity.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly simpler" to compare two concepts, methods, or objects where one is easier to understand or implement than the other. For example, "This method is "slightly simpler" than the traditional approach".

What are some alternatives to "slightly simpler"?

Alternatives to "slightly simpler" include "marginally easier", "somewhat less complex", or "a bit more straightforward". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "slighter simpler" instead of "slightly simpler"?

While "slighter" and "slightly" are both adverbs of degree, "slightly simpler" is the more common and idiomatic choice. "Slighter simpler" is less frequently used and may sound unusual to native English speakers.

What is the difference between "slightly simpler" and "much simpler"?

"Slightly simpler" indicates a small difference in complexity, while "much simpler" suggests a significant and noticeable reduction in complexity. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of difference you want to convey.