slightly too large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly too large" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or item that is marginally bigger than what is desired or appropriate. Example: "The shirt I ordered is slightly too large, so I will exchange it for a smaller size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Ryan Giggs was 17, wearing a shirt that seemed slightly too large for his skinny frame.

The Guardian - Sport

In one Diane Arbus photograph from 1963, a woman sits in an upholstered armchair that is slightly too large for her frame.

The New York Times - Arts

The set, exquisitely lighted to create soft sepia tones, evokes a child's puppet theater, and Mr. Gee (who was once a principal Cirque du Soleil clown) appears like the traditional French puppet character Guignol, slightly too large for his setting.

The New York Times - Arts

I wasn't certain that Miller would plead not guilty, but Phoebe Waller-Bridge's slightly too large performance as his lawyer in the opening minutes gave me a strong inkling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We tried three anyway, a wonderfully rich chicken soup ($3.95) thick with shards of chicken, carrots, pastina and chopped hard-boiled egg whites; a coarse grilled chouriço flamed in grappa ($6.95) and a crock containing a dozen and a half littleneck clams, slightly too large and chewy, in a garlic-fueled buttery sauce ($8.95).

The New York Times

In retrospect, this choice was slightly too large when considering recent recommendations [14].

JA Clinical Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Incorporating the MI procedure in the validation yields estimates of optimism that are closer to the true value, albeit slightly too larger.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The standing male nude of "Young Man" echoes the pose of the "Kritios Boy," the early Classical Greek sculpture thought to be the first instance of contrapposto, but he is clearly a 21st-century nerd: unsteady on his feet, with sloping shoulders, incipient love handles and a slightly too-large head, partly a result of thick hair and a full beard.

The New York Times - Arts

The ASA said that the model's youthful appearance, minimal makeup and slightly-too-large clothes contributed to the impression that she was under 16.

The Guardian

When we ran Alex Brown's photo of that kid sitting in McDonald's wearing a slightly-too-large Darth Vader mask on the magazine's TOC three years ago, we had no idea it would go so far around the internet that our own mothers would be emailing it to us at work.

Vice

With two measurements (from two different anchors) of the same target, there are four possibilities: they are both too small, they are both (slightly or much) too large, the first one is (slightly or much) too small and the second is (slightly or much) too large or vice versa.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sizes, be precise. Instead of just saying something is "slightly too large", consider adding a comparative measurement if possible (e.g., "slightly too large, perhaps by half an inch").

Common error

Avoid using "slightly too large" when the item is significantly bigger than needed. This phrase implies a minor difference; if the size disparity is substantial, use stronger terms like "much too large" or "considerably oversized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly too large" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree to which something exceeds the ideal size. The adverb "slightly" modifies the adjective phrase "too large", indicating a small excess. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly too large" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that something exceeds the ideal size by a small amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific writing. To use it effectively, be mindful of the context and choose more precise descriptors if possible. Also, avoid using this phrase when describing sizes that are significantly larger than desired – the word "slightly" implies only a marginal difference. Keep in mind the phrase can be replaced by "a bit too big" or "somewhat oversized" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit too big

Replaces "slightly" with "a bit", offering a more informal tone.

somewhat oversized

Uses "oversized" as a single word, suggesting a larger deviation from the ideal size.

marginally too expansive

Substitutes "large" with "expansive" for a more formal tone, also using "marginally" for slightness.

just a tad too bulky

Employs "a tad" and "bulky" to suggest a minor excess in size and a more descriptive adjective.

scarcely within acceptable dimensions

Indicates a condition barely meeting size requirements, implying it's almost too large.

excessive by a small degree

Uses more formal language to express a slight overage in size.

on the larger side

Indicates a general tendency towards being larger, without necessarily exceeding an ideal size.

running a little big

Commonly used for clothes; signifies that the size is bigger than labeled or expected.

not quite the right fit

Broader term signifying that something doesn't fit well, possibly due to being too large.

slightly beyond the ideal size

Uses more technical wording.

FAQs

What does "slightly too large" mean?

The phrase "slightly too large" indicates that something is a little bigger than desired or needed. The emphasis is on the small degree of excess.

What can I say instead of "slightly too large"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit too big", "somewhat oversized", or "marginally too expansive" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "slightly too large" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly too large" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more precise or sophisticated synonyms like "marginally too expansive" if appropriate for the context.

Which is correct, "slightly too large" or "a little too large"?

Both "slightly too large" and "a little too large" are correct and convey similar meanings. The choice often depends on the desired tone and the specific context. "Slightly too large" may sound a touch more formal.