very slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a small amount or degree. For example: "The prices have risen very slightly this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very slightly".

The New York Times - Books

Lindsey smiled, very slightly.

The New Yorker

He grinned very slightly.

The New York Times - Books

The width increased very slightly.

Polymer

We used Meghan's code, very slightly modified.

Cornell University

Males are very slightly smaller than females.

Cornell University

Her name is very slightly unconventional.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The very slightly slanting table, for example.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Administrative expenses decreased very slightly to £8.1m.

The Guardian

14...Nf6 Sane if very slightly submissive.

The Guardian - Sport

But this time, only very slightly.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very slightly" to express minimal change or difference where precision is needed, particularly in formal or technical writing. Avoid using it in contexts where stronger emphasis is required.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "very slightly" can make your writing sound overly formal or hesitant in casual conversation. Opt for more direct alternatives like "a little" or "just a bit" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very slightly" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a minimal degree or extent. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very slightly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote a minimal degree or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it appears across diverse contexts, it's most prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and emphasis. While grammatically sound, overuse in casual settings may sound overly formal. Remember to use "very slightly" when you want to indicate that something changes, differs, or affects other things in a minimal, almost imperceptible way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a bit

Indicates a minimal amount or degree, focusing on the small quantity involved.

a little

Emphasizes the limited quantity or degree of something.

somewhat

Suggests a moderate degree, slightly more formal than "a little".

marginally

Implies a very small difference or change, often used in technical contexts.

barely

Highlights the minimal nature of something, almost not there.

hardly

Similar to "barely", indicating a small amount or degree.

scarcely

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something.

to a small degree

A more formal and explicit way of saying "very slightly".

in a minor way

Focuses on the limited impact or influence of something.

by a hair

Indicates something happened or changed by the narrowest of margins.

FAQs

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

"Very slightly" is used to indicate a minimal degree or amount. For example, "The temperature increased "very slightly" overnight" or "He adjusted the setting "very slightly" to improve the image quality."

What are some alternatives to "very slightly"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "just a bit", "a little", "somewhat", or "marginally" instead of "very slightly".

Is there a difference between "slightly" and "very slightly"?

"Very slightly" emphasizes an even smaller degree or amount than "slightly". It suggests the change or difference is almost imperceptible.

When is it appropriate to use "very slightly" in writing?

It is appropriate in formal, technical, or scientific writing where precision is important. It's also useful when you want to downplay the significance of a change or difference.