slightly to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly to ask" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or misconstructed expression, and it is unclear what context it is intended for. Example: "I would like to slightly ask for your opinion on this matter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The New Yorker, November 8, 1947 P. 23 Note for the Attention of the Luckman Committee: It might help the grain-saving program slightly to ask a number of beauty editors around town to salvage the handfulls of wheat they've been getting lately in boxes also containing free samples of a new Park & Tilford perfume called Wild Harvest.

The New Yorker

You also have to humble yourself ever so slightly to ask for advice, and this vulnerability will create a sense of openness and trust between you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It seemd to him that they looked as though it was something slightly humorous to ask for Johnny Sewell's autograph.

The New Yorker

It does seem slightly odd to ask a man running for President — or, for that matter, for dogcatcher — to recite a catechism on modern science.

The New Yorker

I'm still slightly afraid to ask him for a price (nothing is marked), even though he knows me and is always quite pleasant.

The New York Times

Back in the day when greed was good and barbarians were at the gate, visible symbols of wealth like Rolexes and BMW's were the rage -- but it was still considered slightly gauche to ask someone about his private investments.

The New York Times - Magazine

Often she seems to play down the brilliance of her dancing by refusing to extend her body into space in a way that would emphasize its beauty (although it seems slightly unfair to ask more of anyone who can do perfect-form quadruple fouette turns while fanning herself — which is like patting your head and rubbing your stomach while doing back flips).

The New York Times - Arts

The ratings spiked every time he was on, and (journalists) were slightly reticent to ask him super challenging questions.

Los Angeles Times

As for the scarcity of prayer among Reform Jews, he provides statistical evidence ("PPB" or "prayer-per-believer" stats) that are rock-bottom low, "which means I am actually very slightly more likely to ask them for something".

The New York Times - Books

Switching gears just slightly, I wanted to ask you about something I've noticed in a lot of your novels, which is that there seems to be a small theme of people coming to New York to start their lives as adults.

Huffington Post

We are slightly modifying this question to ask whether most of the published works are offering strength training or not.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey politeness or hesitancy in a request, avoid the phrase "slightly to ask". Opt for more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives such as "to gently inquire" or "to politely request".

Common error

Avoid directly modifying verbs like "ask" with adverbs of degree (e.g., "slightly") in formal writing. Instead, use adverbs to modify the manner of asking (e.g., "ask gently") or choose alternative verbs that inherently convey the desired nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly to ask" functions as an incomplete verb phrase. While it aims to express a tentative or mild request, its grammatical structure is not standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly to ask" is a grammatically questionable construction intended to soften a request, according to Ludwig AI. While its aim is to convey politeness or hesitancy, its usage is rare and potentially awkward. It is primarily found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, and it is best to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, opt for more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "to gently inquire" or "to politely request", which achieve the desired nuance more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gently inquire

Replaces "slightly to ask" with a more polite and less direct form of questioning.

to politely request

Emphasizes the courteous nature of the inquiry, avoiding any perceived imposition.

to tentatively ask

Highlights the hesitance or uncertainty in making the request.

to humbly ask

Focuses on the speaker's humility in making the request, showing deference.

to softly ask

Indicates a gentle and quiet manner of making the inquiry.

to venture to ask

Suggests some risk or daring in posing the question.

to mildly inquire

Similar to "gently inquire" but with a slightly weaker emphasis.

to care to ask

Offers a way of posing a question that considers the other person's willingness to engage.

if I may ask

A classic phrase used to preface a question politely, especially when the topic might be sensitive.

to just ask

Simply remove the adverb "slightly" and retain the core action.

FAQs

How can I express a hesitant request politely?

Instead of using the awkward phrase "slightly to ask", try alternatives such as "gently inquire", "politely request", or "humbly ask". These options convey a sense of deference and consideration.

What's a more grammatically correct way to phrase a mild inquiry?

Avoid phrases like "slightly to ask" which don't conform to standard English grammar. Better options include "mildly inquire" or rephrasing the sentence to use "ask" in a more conventional way.

Is "slightly to ask" ever appropriate in writing?

While you might encounter "slightly to ask" in informal contexts, it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

What can I say instead of "I want to slightly ask"?

Instead of "I want to slightly ask", consider phrases like "I'd like to "gently inquire"" or "May I "politely request"?" These options sound more natural and are grammatically sound.