slightly touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly touching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gentle or light contact between two objects or surfaces. Example: "The fabric was slightly touching the ground, creating a soft drape."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Warner is another extremely wide Australian cricketer, blessed with an almost alarmingly muscular neck and forearms that resemble large cured hams, but even he managed to look small and sad and slightly touching as he walked off confronted by a startling wall of noise from a pre-lunch Friday crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

By slightly touching a metal ring in front of the muzzle the mouse triggers the shoot and is killed by a high-pressure gas jet.

Forensic Science International

Mechanical allodynia was considered to be present if pain was evoked by slightly touching the examined areal.

Plosone

At 10 min before the experiments, each bee was checked for intact PER by slightly touching one antenna with 1.25 M sucrose solution without feeding the bee.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

In measurements of RRs to sudden loading participants stood relaxed, with their elbows flexed to 90° and palms slightly touching the weight handle (8% of the individual's body mass, for more detail see Figure 1(b)) [ 25].

BioMed Research International

The slice-and-view stack managed to give a 3D image of an agglomerate of CNTLarge in the intercellular space with CNTs in some cases slightly touching the cells, which would be troublesome using standard TEM protocols.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The light effects vary from steely black to silvery on the river and from pearl gray to off-white slightly touched with golden yellow in the clouds.

The New York Times - Arts

Written over the course of three years, "Homebody" tells the story of a slightly touched Englishwoman who goes missing in Afghanistan, and her family's efforts to find her.

The New York Times

"High Fidelity" and "Fever Pitch" grabbed the reader by the lapels because the narrators -- the record store owner and Hornby himself -- while slightly touched in the head, were true originals.

The New York Times - Books

We see from limited literatures where LOR has been slightly touched on in drug discovery research.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The green region is clearly a salient object as it is large, compact, and only slightly touches the image boundary.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical interactions or relationships, use "slightly touching" to convey a sense of delicacy and avoid suggesting forceful contact. For instance, "their hands were slightly touching" implies a tentative connection.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly touching" when describing firm or forceful contact; it can create a confusing or inaccurate picture. Instead, opt for more appropriate terms such as "firmly pressed" or "strongly attached" if the contact is more than gentle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly touching" functions as a descriptive element, typically an adjective phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner in which two or more objects are making contact, emphasizing the gentleness or lack of force. Ludwig examples show it describing both physical objects and abstract interactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly touching" is a versatile phrase used to describe a gentle or minimal contact between two entities. As Ludwig AI shows, it’s grammatically correct and commonly found across different writing styles and contexts like science, news, and general wiki content. It is neither distinctly formal nor informal. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of contact, avoiding overstatement or confusion. Alternative phrases like "gently contacting" or "lightly brushing" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context. Overall, "slightly touching" is a useful and reliable phrase for conveying delicacy and subtlety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gently contacting

Focuses on the gentle nature of the contact, emphasizing the lack of force.

lightly brushing

Highlights the brief and delicate nature of the contact, like a brush.

barely grazing

Emphasizes how minimal the contact is, almost as if there is no contact at all.

faintly contacting

Indicates a very subtle or indistinct contact.

just reaching

Suggests that the contact is at the limit of range or extension.

almost touching

Highlights the proximity without definite contact, implies the contact is not guaranteed.

in tenuous contact

Emphasizes the fragile and unstable nature of the contact.

making slight contact

A more formal way to describe the action of gently contacting.

softly impacting

Focuses on the gentle and delicate nature of the impact.

grazing gently

Similar to lightly brushing but with more focus on movement along a surface.

FAQs

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

Use "slightly touching" to describe a gentle or minimal contact between two things. Example: "The curtains were "slightly touching" the floor."

What's a good alternative to "slightly touching"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gently contacting", "lightly brushing", or "barely grazing".

Is it more accurate to say "slightly touching" or "almost touching"?

It depends on whether there is actual contact. Use "slightly touching" if there is a gentle contact. Use "almost touching" if they are close but not actually making contact.

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

It implies a gentle, delicate, or minimal contact. The degree of contact is small and not forceful.