slightly slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly slow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not fast, but only to a small degree, often in contexts like performance, speed, or reaction times. Example: "The internet connection was slightly slow, making it difficult to stream videos without buffering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Wiki

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The biggest issue is that the camera app is slightly slow.

The Guardian - Tech

"It may be a slightly slow start but it is early days.

The Guardian

So with so many students there were some problems and our servers were slightly slow".

The New York Times

The Senate resolution will include cuts to slightly slow the rate of growth of entitlement programs, aides said.

The New York Times

7.56am GMT 5th over: England 18-0 (Cook 5, Bell 10) McKay continues, as does England's slightly slow start.

The Guardian - Sport

And now, like slightly slow clockwork, the pair has arrived where they were always destined to go: the nineteen-eighties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

My least favourite part of this book was when he was working in the fields because it was slightly slow-moving and un-descriptive.

The Guardian

"The whale breach has a slightly overcranked feel, a slightly slow-motion feel, and to get the weight into the animal is tricky," Erik de Boer, animation supervisor of Rhythm & Hues, told The Daily.

Independent

Slightly slower but without sanctions.

The Guardian

She remains so, if at a slightly slower speed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The body rusted only slightly slower than overnight.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly slow" to subtly indicate a minor delay or reduction in speed without being overly critical. It's suitable when describing processes, reactions, or performance where a small degree of slowness is observed.

Common error

Avoid overusing "slightly slow" in formal or technical reports where precision is key. Consider using more quantitative measures or specific descriptive terms to convey the degree of slowness accurately.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree of slowness. Ludwig highlights examples where it qualifies nouns like 'start', 'tempo', 'pace' or 'circulation', indicating a minor reduction in speed or efficiency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

18%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Music

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly slow" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that is a bit slower than expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, science, and sports contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using "slightly slow", remember to consider more precise or quantitative alternatives in formal reports for greater accuracy. Be aware of subtle nuances, like "somewhat sluggish" or "moderately slow", to ensure your word choice perfectly matches your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally slow

Emphasizes the small degree of slowness, suggesting it's barely noticeable.

little slow

A more colloquial way of expressing a small degree of slowness.

somewhat sluggish

Indicates a lack of energy or dynamism, implying a heavier slowness than "slightly slow".

a bit delayed

Focuses on the temporal aspect of slowness, suggesting a minor postponement.

relatively slow

Indicates slowness in comparison to a specific benchmark or expectation.

moderately slow

Suggests a more noticeable degree of slowness than "slightly slow".

a touch slow

Uses a more informal and subtle expression to denote a minimal degree of slowness.

somewhat lethargic

Suggests a state of inactivity or reduced vitality, implying a sluggish or slow response.

rather unhurried

Highlights the lack of urgency, portraying a relaxed pace that might be considered slow.

somewhat gradual

Shifts the focus to the rate of change or progress, suggesting a slow and steady pace.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly slow" to describe something that is moving, processing, or reacting at a pace that is a bit slower than expected. For example: "The website's loading time was "slightly slow" this morning".

What are some alternatives to "slightly slow"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a bit delayed", "somewhat sluggish", or "marginally slow". Each carries a subtly different nuance.

Is it better to say "slightly slow" or "a little slow"?

"Slightly slow" and "a little slow" are largely interchangeable. "Slightly slow" may sound more formal, while "a little slow" is more casual. Both are grammatically correct and understandable.

What does it mean when something is described as "slightly slow"?

When something is described as "slightly slow", it indicates that it is functioning at a pace that is slower than what is considered normal or optimal, but the difference is not significant enough to cause major concern or disruption. For instance, "The server response time was "slightly slow", but still within acceptable limits".