varied slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"varied slightly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe minor differences or changes in something. For example: "The results varied slightly from the initial predictions." Alternative expressions include "differed slightly" and "changed marginally."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accounts of the attack varied slightly.

The New York Times

However, the system performance varied slightly with average ambient temperature.

Renewable Energy

I've made this four times, and each time it varied slightly.

The Washington Post

Small musical units may be repeated many times and varied slightly at each appearance.

Britannica

Benn's judgment varied slightly, depending on how much Diamond released money for his pet projects.

The Guardian

Reports of casualties varied slightly, but local officials counted no more than four dead.

The New York Times

The basic tread pattern is varied slightly to fit each tire size.

The New York Times

While the percentages varied slightly by race, there were no significant differences between men and women overall.

University of California, Berkeley

Descriptions of the material varied slightly in detail and sharply in price, and there were ample contradictions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exact sampling dates varied slightly between sites and a total of 279 aerial samples were collected (Supplementary Table 4).

Nature

It started much the way Games 4 and 6 did, but Mr. Topalov varied slightly by playing 5 Bd3.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "varied slightly" to indicate minor discrepancies or changes without implying significant impact or error. This is useful when reporting data or observations that are not perfectly uniform.

Common error

Avoid using "varied slightly" when the differences are actually significant or have a substantial impact. This can mislead the reader about the true extent of the variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varied slightly" functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate the degree or extent of variation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "varied slightly" is a versatile adverbial phrase that indicates small differences or deviations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse writing styles and sources. It is most common in Scientific, News & Media and Wiki contexts, which reflects its usefulness in reporting data and observations where minor discrepancies occur. When using the phrase, ensure that the differences are genuinely minor to avoid misleading your audience about the scale of variation. Alternatives include "differed slightly" and "changed marginally". As Ludwig AI reports, it is a strong understanding and application of the phrase, according to the expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differed slightly

This phrase replaces "varied" with "differed", emphasizing the difference between items.

differs slightly

This phrase is the singular form, suitable when referring to a single item's variation.

changed marginally

This emphasizes the small degree of change, using "marginally" instead of "slightly".

shifted subtly

This suggests a more delicate or understated alteration.

altered minimally

This emphasizes the small amount of alteration made.

fluctuated modestly

This emphasizes the fluctuation was not big.

deviated minimally

This emphasizes the deviation from what it was supposed to be.

modified gently

This emphasizes the gentle modification of the thing that varied.

varied a bit

This is a more informal way to say "varied slightly".

varied marginally

This puts slightly into a more formal or academic form using marginally.

FAQs

What does "varied slightly" mean?

The phrase "varied slightly" indicates that there were small or minor differences between things, but not large or significant ones. It suggests a subtle degree of change or deviation.

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

You can use "varied slightly" to describe minor differences in data, opinions, results, or characteristics. For example: "The survey results "differed slightly" between age groups."

What are some alternatives to "varied slightly"?

Alternatives to "varied slightly" include "differed slightly", "changed marginally", "shifted subtly", and "altered minimally". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "varied slightly" formal or informal?

The phrase "varied slightly" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. While it's not overly technical, it is clear and easily understood in various writing styles.