slightly work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly work" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a misuse of the word "slightly," which typically modifies adjectives or adverbs, not verbs. Example: "I need to slightly adjust my approach to the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But then when you're there, you have to slightly work with the individual situations that you get.

Huffington Post

Slightly work it into the gum.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We make a demo, we have posters, we're a slightly working band".

The New Yorker

Although I am usually understated, I knew I had to get at least slightly worked up about it.

The Guardian

Make sure to stretch the fabric slightly, working any wrinkles out.

WikiHow

If I'm working, it should feel at least slightly like work, right?

The New York Times - Books

Their downside is that they are slightly more work.

The New York Times

"Slightly more work needed on the face," Lowe pronounced.

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON (AP) — American businesses got slightly more work out of their employees this spring after reducing hiring.

The New York Times

(Cataract surgery was estimated to involve slightly less work than a hysterectomy).

The New Yorker

In "I[10-31-2003]," a slaterly later work, she begins building her narrative.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "slightly work" directly. Instead, rephrase to use "slightly" with an adjective or adverb (e.g., "slightly modified") or use a more appropriate verb (e.g., "adjust minimally").

Common error

The word "slightly" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs. Using it directly with the verb "work" can sound awkward. Instead of saying "slightly work", opt for phrases like "work a bit" or "make minor adjustments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly work" functions as a verb phrase where "slightly" attempts to modify the verb "work". However, Ludwig AI indicates this is not correct in written English, as "slightly" should typically modify adjectives or adverbs, not verbs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "slightly work" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI. The intended meaning is to indicate a small degree of effort or modification. However, it's advisable to use alternative phrasings such as "work a little", "adjust slightly", or "make minor adjustments" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal writing. "Slightly work" is rare, appearing mostly in news, wiki, and scientific content, but even there it may not be the best choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work just a little

Uses a more casual and direct way to express a small amount of work.

work a bit

Replaces "slightly" with "a bit" to indicate a small amount of effort.

work marginally

Substitutes "slightly" with "marginally", denoting a small degree of effort or effect.

make minor adjustments

Focuses on the action of making small changes to something.

adjust minimally

Emphasizes the small degree of adjustment required.

work to a small extent

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the limited degree of work.

modify a little

Highlights the small modification involved.

exert minimal effort

Focuses on the small amount of effort being exerted.

labor negligibly

Indicates that the amount of labor involved is almost insignificant.

undertake some work

Highlights that something requires a bit of labor or effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "slightly work" to be grammatically correct?

Instead of "slightly work", use phrases like "work a bit", "make minor adjustments", or "adjust minimally".

Is "slightly work" considered proper English?

No, "slightly work" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "slightly" to modify an adjective or adverb, or to use alternative phrasing such as "work a little".

What's the difference between "slightly work" and "work slightly"?

"Slightly work" is not standard English. "Work slightly" is grammatically correct, but it usually sounds better to rephrase it using alternatives like "work a bit" or "adjust minimally".

Are there situations where "slightly work" might be acceptable?

While it's not typically considered correct, "slightly work" might appear in informal contexts or where the speaker is not a native English speaker. However, for formal writing, it's best to use alternatives like "work a little" or "adjust slightly".