slightly to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a minor adjustment or action taken to prevent something undesirable. Example: "She moved the vase slightly to avoid knocking it over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He was able to turn his head slightly to avoid a direct blow to his face but was unable to get his glove up in time.

The Guardian - Sport

Minor edit: Amended the closing paragraphs slightly to avoid giving anyone the impression I'm daft enough to suggest the government conduct randomized controlled trials for torture!

The Guardian

If they did know the correct procedure, he said, during gusts they would "collapse the umbrella slightly, to avoid wind damage".

The New York Times

Tree roots are less of a problem because you can cut the smaller ones and shift the hole slightly to avoid the larger ones.

The New York Times

Shoemaker was able to turn his head slightly to avoid a direct blow to his face but was unable to get his mitt up in time.

The Guardian - Sport

The head of Russia's mission control said the splashdown zone for the obsolete Mir space station had been shifted slightly to avoid uninhabited French South Pacific islands.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Danny Rose was slightly fortunate to avoid the concession of a penalty for a nibble at Silva but El Shaarawy made sure that Tottenham's relief was short-lived.

The Guardian - Sport

If the melody of the answer is an exact transposition of the subject, into the new key, it is a real answer; often, however, the melody will be slightly manipulated to avoid a true change of key, in which case it is a tonal answer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subject driver steered slightly left to avoid the crash and the other vehicle went ahead on the exit ramp.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

In another case, 10 different accounts were used to send out thousands of posts, many of them duplicates slightly altered to avoid detection as spam.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Some authors consider that the body has to be placed slightly anterior to avoid inconveniencing the patient when the leg falls in external rotation during sleep [6].

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly to avoid" when precision is not critical, and a minor adjustment is sufficient to prevent a negative outcome. It's ideal for informal writing where a less formal tone is appropriate.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, "slightly to avoid" can sound imprecise. Opt for more specific language that details the exact adjustment and the expected outcome for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly to avoid" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb to indicate the intention behind an action. As Ludwig indicates, it expresses a minor adjustment undertaken to prevent an undesirable outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

25%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly to avoid" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves as an adverbial phrase of purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates the intention behind a minor adjustment aimed at preventing an undesirable outcome. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts; formal or technical writing often benefits from more precise language. Related phrases such as "a little to prevent" or "somewhat to avert" can provide alternatives depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little to prevent

Replaces "slightly" with "a little", maintaining the sense of a small adjustment for prevention.

somewhat to avert

Substitutes "slightly" with "somewhat" and "avoid" with "avert", offering a more formal tone.

marginally to evade

Uses "marginally" in place of "slightly" and "evade" instead of "avoid", indicating a subtle effort to escape a situation.

just enough to dodge

Replaces "slightly" with "just enough" and "avoid" with "dodge", suggesting a narrow escape.

barely to circumvent

Employs "barely" instead of "slightly" and "circumvent" in place of "avoid", highlighting a minimal effort to bypass something.

a shade to steer clear of

Replaces "slightly" with "a shade" and "avoid" with "steer clear of", conveying a casual expression for evasion.

ever so slightly to evade

Adds emphasis with "ever so slightly" while replacing "avoid" with "evade", stressing a very minor adjustment.

a hair's breadth to prevent

Uses the idiom "a hair's breadth" to emphasize the minimal adjustment made to prevent something.

by a whisker to dodge

Employs the idiom "by a whisker" to convey a very close call in avoiding something.

a touch to keep away from

Replaces "slightly" with "a touch" and "avoid" with "keep away from", offering a more colloquial alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly to avoid" to describe a small adjustment made to prevent something undesirable, such as "He tilted the picture "slightly to avoid" glare from the window."

What are some alternatives to "slightly to avoid"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a little to prevent", "somewhat to avert", or "marginally to evade", which offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "slightly to avoid"?

It is appropriate in contexts where a minor adjustment is sufficient to prevent an undesirable outcome and the tone is not overly formal. It's suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Is "slightly to avoid" too vague for technical writing?

Yes, in technical or scientific writing, "slightly to avoid" can be too vague. It's better to use more precise language that specifies the exact adjustment and its intended effect for clarity and accuracy.