slightly to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small degree of movement or change in direction or position. Example: "The painting was hung slightly to the left of the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The unemployment rate fell slightly, to 4.7%.

The Economist

Shares in Cisco dipped slightly, to $25.66.

The New York Times

On Friday it fell slightly, to $7.45.

The New York Times

The euro fell slightly, to $1.3011.

The New York Times

The unemployment rate rose slightly, to 8.2%.

The Economist

Shares in Sprint dipped slightly, to $2.46.

The New York Times

Revenue fell slightly, to $10.05 billion.

The New York Times

It's slightly to the right.

The Guardian - Sport

Attendance was down slightly, to about 154,000.

The Economist

It has since recovered slightly to $40.

The Guardian - Business

Daholo Wali is slightly to its south.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being referenced in terms of position or degree. For example, "The building is located slightly to the north of the park" provides specific information.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly to" when a significant change or difference is present. "Slightly" implies a minor adjustment; a more descriptive word should be chosen for bigger changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly to" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating a position or direction that is just off from a specific point. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a minor shift in position or degree. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While relatively infrequent, it appears across various contexts, especially in news media and instructional content. When using "slightly to", clarity is key; be sure to provide sufficient context for the reference point. Common errors involve misjudging the degree of change, so consider alternative phrases if the deviation is substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little to

Replaces 'slightly' with 'a little', indicating a small degree.

somewhat to

Uses 'somewhat' instead of 'slightly', suggesting a moderate degree.

marginally to

Employs 'marginally' to emphasize a minimal difference or shift.

just to

Indicates a minimal adjustment or direction.

barely to

Highlights the small extent of the change or direction.

fractionally to

Denotes a very small or tiny amount of movement or difference.

a shade to

A more figurative way to express a small degree or inclination.

by a hair to

Suggests an extremely small margin or difference.

close to

Implies nearness, but with a hint of being off-center or adjacent.

almost to

Indicates nearing a certain position but not quite reaching it.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly to" to indicate a small degree of movement or a minor positional change, for example: "The picture frame was hung "a little to" the left."

What words can I use instead of "slightly to"?

Alternatives include "a little to", "somewhat to", or "marginally to", depending on the degree of change you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little to" instead of "slightly to"?

Yes, "a little to" is a valid alternative. The choice between "slightly to" and "a little to" often depends on stylistic preference and the desired level of formality. "Slightly to" may sound more precise, while "a little to" is more conversational.

What's the difference between "slightly to" and "directly to"?

"Slightly to" indicates a minor deviation or adjacent position, while "directly to" means there is no deviation; it's an exact or straight line. Using "directly to" suggests precision, whereas "slightly to" implies approximation.