slightly volatile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly volatile" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that has a minor degree of instability or unpredictability, often in contexts like finance or chemistry. For example, "The stock market has been slightly volatile this week." Alternative expressions include "somewhat unstable" and "mildly erratic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mercury is slightly volatile even at room temperature.

The New York Times

If this turns out to be correct then the UK market might be slightly volatile tomorrow.

The Guardian - Business

Stands tower on two sides, while the flickering Olympic torch in one corner is capable of unnerving the unwary or slightly volatile horse.

The Guardian - Sport

To address these questions, we present surface tension measurements from a group of slightly volatile, organic amphiphiles in aqueous solutions that illustrate the effects of both vapor and liquid phases on the surface tension.

Plosone

The latter seems to be the main determinant of H2O2 (which is volatile) and MDA (which is also slightly volatile) content in EBC.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Even the vapor pressure of a slightly volatile solute might not be amenable to direct thermodynamic measurement, though it might be measurable by extra-thermodynamic methods, such as optical spectroscopy or mass spectrometry.

ChemPhysChem

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Generally, preferreds have far less price volatility than common stock, but they also tend to be slightly less volatile than corporate bonds.

The New York Times

Although the region's economies were slightly less volatile in the 1990s than in previous years, the instability continues.

The Economist

The "now-cast" — our estimate of what would happen if the election were held today, rather than on Nov. 6 — has been only slightly more volatile.

The New York Times

Mr. Schniedwind's fund has returned 9.9percentt a year over the last 10 years, close to the S.& P. 500's 10percentt on a total return basis and the returns have been slightly less volatile.

The New York Times

Mr. DiCaprio's screen persona in all these movies is a variation of the same character: an unformed, slightly androgynous, volatile youth who looks and acts more like 15 than 25 (Mr. DiCaprio's actual age).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial markets or chemical compounds, use "slightly volatile" to indicate a low degree of instability or reactivity. This conveys a more nuanced understanding than simply saying "volatile".

Common error

Avoid using "slightly volatile" when the context suggests a high degree of instability. Using "volatile" on its own might be more accurate if the situation is markedly unstable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly volatile" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a mild degree of instability or unpredictability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly volatile" is a grammatically sound compound adjective indicating a mild level of instability. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It is most commonly found in news and media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the degree of instability you are describing is indeed slight, and that a stronger adjective like "volatile" alone isn't more appropriate. If a similar meaning but structurally different expression is needed, consider phrases like "somewhat unstable" or "moderately erratic".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly unstable

Almost synonymous, simply replaces "volatile" with "unstable".

Somewhat unstable

Indicates a certain degree of instability, similar to "slightly volatile" but focuses more on the lack of stability.

Moderately erratic

Suggests a behavior or pattern that deviates from the norm to a moderate extent, akin to slight volatility.

Mildly fluctuating

Emphasizes the wavering or changing nature, but at a gentle pace.

A bit temperamental

Used primarily for describing behavior, it implies unpredictability.

Somewhat variable

Highlights the changing nature of something, resembling the sense of mild volatility.

Marginally unsteady

Focuses on the lack of steadiness, but to a small degree.

Reasonably changeable

Highlights the capacity for change, with 'reasonably' toning down the intensity.

Kind of unpredictable

Emphasizes the unpredictability aspect, making it more colloquial.

Minimally reactive

Suggests a low degree of responsiveness to external factors, which can correlate with volatility in some contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly volatile" to describe something that has a minor degree of instability or unpredictability. For example, "The stock market has been "slightly volatile" this week".

What can I say instead of "slightly volatile"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unstable", "moderately erratic", or "mildly fluctuating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slightly volatile" or "very volatile"?

The correct choice depends on the degree of instability you want to convey. "Slightly volatile" indicates a low degree of instability, while "very volatile" suggests a high degree of instability.

What's the difference between "slightly volatile" and "somewhat stable"?

"Slightly volatile" implies a small degree of instability or unpredictability, whereas "somewhat stable" suggests a certain degree of steadiness or resistance to change.