slightly towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small degree of direction or inclination in a particular direction. Example: "The painting is tilted slightly towards the left, giving it a unique perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leans slightly towards the Harvey end of things.

The Guardian - Film

The balance has tilted slightly towards these Adam Riches-style batty interactive challenges.

The Guardian

The trend is slightly towards the Democrats, but not by enough to make John Kerry confident.

The Economist

These men must have had... ...... My father, turning slightly towards me, completed the speaker's sentence, "no imagination".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The balance is slightly towards the tourists again in the wake of Dale Steyn being ruled out for South Africa.

Independent

"Nigger" leads heavily on the first syllable whereas "nigga", as pronounced and popularised by generations of rappers, weights each syllable equally or slightly towards the second.

The Guardian - Music

Atkins turned slightly towards the darkness to speak Lear, then, as Cordelia, looked right into the light, and mobile flames made her eyes young and bright.

The Guardian

You could circle the globe with a list of Mel and Sue's double entendres and even Mary is occasionally allowed to veer slightly towards the cheeky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While some seem to lean slightly towards supporting Trump's presidency, all of them seem most struck by the significance of America's decision to elect him.

The Guardian

Mr. Clinton's decision swayed her slightly towards the Democrats, she said, but she wondered why he waited so long to free up the reserve supply.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, British business was boosted by statistics raising hopes that the UK economy might have grown slightly towards the end of 2012.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly towards", ensure the context clearly defines the point of reference. For example, instead of "it tilted slightly towards", specify "it tilted slightly towards the left edge."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly towards" without specifying a clear reference point. Instead of saying "the trend is slightly towards", clarify "the trend is slightly towards higher spending."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly towards" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in indicating a directional tendency or inclination. It modifies verbs or clauses to specify the direction of an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

24%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly towards" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a minor inclination or movement in a specified direction. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and general-purpose writing. The analysis reveals that "slightly towards" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to the direction or orientation being described. While alternatives like "a bit toward" exist, "slightly towards" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To maximize clarity, it's best practice to ensure the reference point for the directional shift is clearly defined. Overall, "slightly towards" is a versatile and valuable phrase for expressing subtle changes in direction or trend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit toward

Suggests a small degree of movement or orientation in a specific direction.

somewhat in the direction of

Implies a partial alignment or movement in the general path of something.

leaning slightly to

Indicates a gentle inclination or bias in a particular direction.

inclining marginally toward

Highlights a subtle tendency or preference for a specific outcome or choice.

shifting subtly toward

Focuses on a gradual change or adjustment in direction or preference.

angling gently towards

Emphasizes the small change in the angle relative to something.

veering ever so slightly toward

Indicates a very small change in direction from a current path.

tending marginally toward

Implies a weak tendency or inclination toward a certain option or state.

drifting imperceptibly toward

Describes an almost undetectable shift or movement in a particular direction.

biased faintly towards

Indicates a negligible degree of bias or predisposition toward a specific outcome.

FAQs

What does "slightly towards" mean?

The phrase "slightly towards" indicates a minor shift, inclination, or movement in a particular direction. It suggests a small degree of change or bias without a significant alteration.

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

You can use "slightly towards" to describe a direction or trend. For example: "The economy is trending "slightly towards" recovery", or "He leaned "slightly towards" her when she spoke."

What can I say instead of "slightly towards"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit toward", "somewhat in the direction of", or "leaning slightly to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "slightly towards" or "a little toward"?

Both "slightly towards" and "a little toward" are acceptable. "Slightly towards" is generally considered more formal, while "a little toward" is more casual. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.