slightly unnecessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly unnecessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not essential or required, but to a small degree. Example: "While the extra features are nice, they are slightly unnecessary for the basic functionality of the app."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Technically, bananas already come bunched and encased within natural wrappers, so this artificial wrapper seems slightly unnecessary.

The Guardian

I was unsure why Faith hated Paul Clay so much as well, because he didn't do anything outstandingly resentful, therefore making her strong feelings slightly unnecessary.

The Guardian

"I saw Keanu Reeves [and his band] at Glastonbury and he had tangerines thrown at him, which I thought was slightly unnecessary," he says.

The Guardian - Film

I also faced some criticism - which I felt was slightly unnecessary - when I did a live BBC interview with Richard Fair, as I was harassed about the fact I am from London.

The Guardian - Film

Well, if you don't mind asking nearby colleagues to sniff your shirt (mine were incredibly professional about the request), you'll likely find you smell as fresh as an unshowered bicycle commuter can smell … If I had £140 to spend on a slightly unnecessary – albeit well-cut – top that doesn't make you look like a total dork while riding, then perhaps I would.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Spotting a working one is like witnessing a Wimpy or a Little Chef that's still in operation – a tangible, if slightly unnecessary, remnant of the past.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I can't say without understanding the context of the novel, but it seems slightly gimmicky and unnecessary.

The Guardian

In the past, Wogan's co-hosts have been guilty of over-egging this aspect slightly, which is unnecessary.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The result is intricate and unusual, if occasionally baffling - the pumpkin and pear soup was rich, smooth and gorgeous, but marred slightly by the unnecessary addition of tortellini and truffle oil.

The Guardian - Travel

The mission statement that preceded one meal ("We are a modern American public house," the waiter intoned) was both unnecessary and slightly coy about Mr. Lyons's ambitions.

The New York Times - Food

In contrast, lineages with relatively large population sizes (e.g., most free-living bacteria) would be expected to have more streamlined genomes on account of more effective selection against unnecessary or slightly deleterious sequences, which limits the accumulation of selfish and noncoding DNA (Lynch 2006b).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly unnecessary" to express a mild degree of superfluity, indicating something is not entirely essential but not entirely useless either. This nuance can soften criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly unnecessary" when something is clearly essential or completely useless. The phrase is best suited for situations where the necessity is genuinely debatable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly unnecessary" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig AI shows it expresses a mild degree of superfluity, indicating that something is not strictly required but might possess a limited value or relevance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly unnecessary" is a phrase used to express a mild degree of superfluity. Ludwig AI identifies it as an adjectival modifier with a neutral register, suitable for a range of contexts, especially news and media. The phrase communicates that something is not strictly required, though it might offer a minor benefit. To avoid misuse, it is important to consider alternatives like "somewhat redundant" or "marginally superfluous" for more precise communication. When incorporating into writing, ensure that "slightly unnecessary" is used to convey a nuanced evaluation rather than a dismissive statement. This balance is key to leveraging the phrase appropriately in both professional and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely necessary

Directly states that the item is not a strict requirement, leaving room for potential usefulness or benefit.

somewhat redundant

Indicates a degree of overlap or duplication, suggesting the item isn't strictly needed to avoid repetition or maintain efficiency.

rather unneeded

Signals a stronger sense of superfluity, asserting that the item has limited to no practical usage.

marginally superfluous

Highlights a small degree of excessiveness, implying that the item in question barely goes beyond what is strictly required.

mildly inessential

Implies the item carries little significance or importance.

hardly essential

Emphasizes the lack of importance or necessity. The item is not crucial for the main purpose.

barely required

Underscores that the item is technically needed, but only to a minimal extent.

somewhat uncalled for

Suggests that the action or statement was not justified or appropriate in the given context.

a tad excessive

Emphasizes a small amount of excess. The item in question goes slightly beyond the limits of moderation or reason.

pretty gratuitous

Stresses that something is given freely without reason or justification, marking an action with a degree of excess and inappropriateness.

FAQs

How to use "slightly unnecessary" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly unnecessary" to describe something that is not essential but adds a minor, perhaps questionable, benefit. For instance, "The extra features on the phone are "slightly unnecessary" for basic use."

What can I say instead of "slightly unnecessary"?

Alternatives include "somewhat redundant", "marginally superfluous", or "not entirely necessary", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unnecessary" or "slightly unnecessary"?

"Slightly unnecessary" implies something isn't completely needed but might have a minor benefit, while "unnecessary" suggests it's entirely useless. The better choice depends on the accuracy of your description.

What's the difference between "slightly unnecessary" and "somewhat redundant"?

"Slightly unnecessary" suggests something isn't essential but not entirely useless either. "Somewhat redundant" implies the item duplicates something already present, making it less needed in that context.