slightly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not entirely accurate or correct, but only to a small degree. Example: "The answer you provided is slightly wrong; the correct figure is actually 42."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was slightly wrong.

The Economist

But it went slightly wrong.

Independent

Suddenly something goes slightly wrong.

The Economist

It still sounds slightly wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Her husband frowned slightly: wrong language.

The New Yorker

"Three-toed" is only slightly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Again, it's looking for things slightly wrong.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the Twitterati got his name slightly wrong:.

The Guardian

I can't help feeling Sky got this one slightly wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A lot of people think they understand but their judgment is slightly wrong, and slightly wrong is as bad as being very wrong.

The Guardian - Film

Those who labeled him an anti-Muslim bigot got it slightly wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly wrong" when you want to soften the impact of pointing out an error or inaccuracy, making it less confrontational.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly wrong" when the inaccuracy has significant consequences or implications. Choose a more direct term to accurately represent the severity of the mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly wrong" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying the degree to which something is incorrect. As shown by Ludwig, it softens the impact of pointing out an error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minor degree of inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where the need for nuanced and non-confrontational language is high. When aiming for greater precision or formality, alternatives such as "somewhat inaccurate" or "marginally incorrect" may be more appropriate. Always consider the audience and the severity of the error when choosing the right phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat inaccurate

Indicates a degree of inaccuracy, but emphasizes that it's not entirely wrong.

marginally incorrect

Suggests a minimal level of error or deviation from what is correct.

a bit off

An informal way to express a small deviation from the correct state.

not quite right

Implies something is amiss or inaccurate, but not drastically so.

a little mistaken

Highlights the element of being wrong but to a small extent.

mildly erroneous

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a minor error.

off by a hair

An idiomatic expression conveying a very small margin of error.

barely off

Emphasizes the small degree to which something is incorrect.

just a tad wrong

An informal way to describe something that's only a little incorrect.

a shade off

Suggests a subtle departure from correctness.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly wrong" to indicate a minor inaccuracy, such as: "The calculation was "slightly wrong", but the overall result was still valid".

What's a more formal alternative to "slightly wrong"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "somewhat inaccurate" or "marginally incorrect" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it okay to use "slightly wrong" in academic writing?

While acceptable, "slightly wrong" may be perceived as informal in certain academic contexts. Opt for more precise terms like "minimally deviant" or "partially inaccurate" for a more scholarly tone.

When should I avoid using "slightly wrong"?

Avoid using "slightly wrong" when describing errors that have serious consequences. In such cases, use stronger terms like "significantly flawed" or "fundamentally incorrect" to accurately convey the gravity of the error.