was slightly faster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was slightly faster" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the speed of two or more subjects in a past context. Example: "In the last race, the new model was slightly faster than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Moto G4 Plus was slightly faster and more reliable when focusing.

The Guardian - Tech

In two of them, the D-Wave computer was slightly faster.

The New York Times

The migration of colloid-borne Am was slightly faster than the groundwater flow velocity.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

A flintlock small arm was slightly faster to load than a matchlock, if the flint itself did not require adjustment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That was slightly faster than the national growth rate of 2 percent for the year through March.

The New York Times

The rate of self-diffusion in the adsorbed phase was slightly faster under the flow conditions studied.

Chemical Engineering Science

Senna would keep the throttle going through corners, which meant that he was slightly faster than Prost quite often but that he used more fuel.

The New York Times - Sports

The B-24 carried more bombs and was slightly faster, but it could not fly as high and was more vulnerable to enemy fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With 50% fine particles the initial shrinkage was slightly faster than a unimodal material with the same mean size, while the late shrinkage was considerably slower.

Acta Materialia

Kinetic analyses of MAH/CHO/CO2 terpolymerization (MAH/CHO 0.2) suggested that polyester production was slightly faster than polycarbonate production in the early stage.

Polymer

Due to overhead from memory transfers from system RAM to the GPU, the CPU code was slightly faster than the GPU code for simulations containing less than 600 particles.

Computer Physics Communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, ensure the subjects of comparison are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify which model or entity "was slightly faster" than what.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly" when the difference in speed is substantial. "Slightly" implies a marginal difference; use stronger adverbs like "significantly", "considerably", or "markedly" when the speed difference is more pronounced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was slightly faster" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating that one subject possesses a speed that is marginally greater than another. Ludwig examples confirm its role in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was slightly faster" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small but noticeable difference in speed between two subjects. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Remember to use "was slightly faster" when comparing speeds, but ensure to use more descriptive words when the speed difference is more noticeable, this is to prevent writers from making mistakes. Choosing the correct adverb, and carefully considering the context where you're writing or speaking, are keys to ensure your message is well delivered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was marginally faster

Indicates a slight difference, focusing on the small margin of improvement.

was a bit faster

A more casual way to express a small difference in speed.

was just a little faster

Similar to 'a bit faster', but slightly more emphatic on the smallness of the difference.

was a tad quicker

Emphasizes a minimal difference in speed using informal language.

ran a touch faster

A more figurative and informal way to say it was slightly faster.

demonstrated a marginal improvement in speed

Highlights the improvement in speed using more technical language.

showed a minor speed advantage

Focuses on the advantage gained in speed, though minor.

exhibited a slight increase in speed

More formal and descriptive, focusing on the 'increase' aspect.

was negligibly faster

Implies the difference in speed is so small it's almost not worth noting.

was imperceptibly faster

Similar to negligibly faster and emphasizes that the difference might be hard to notice.

FAQs

How can I use "was slightly faster" in a sentence?

Use "was slightly faster" to compare the speeds of two entities in a past context, indicating a small difference. For example, "The new software "was slightly faster" than the old version".

What are some alternatives to "was slightly faster"?

Alternatives include "was marginally faster", "was a bit faster", or "was a tad quicker", depending on the desired formality and nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "was slightly faster" in formal writing?

Yes, "was slightly faster" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when precision is needed. However, consider using "exhibited a slight increase in speed" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "was slightly faster" and "was significantly faster"?

"Was slightly faster" indicates a small, often negligible difference in speed, while "was significantly faster" implies a considerable and noticeable difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the speed difference.