with a slight variation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a slight variation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is similar to another but has minor differences. Example: "The recipe is the same as before, but I made it with a slight variation by adding more spices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

With a slight variation in the different areas of Long Island, brokers have their own views on the market, but all agree that it is strong.

The New York Times

"There's so much repetition in the music, with a slight variation, so the trick was how to build up to the crescendo," Mr. Rioult said.

The New York Times - Arts

I roast my Long Island duckling with a slight variation on one of Amanda Hesser's recipes, which calls for high temperature roasting followed by braising of duck pieces.

The New York Times - Food

In different versions, and with a slight variation in ingredients such as ghee instead of butter and different kinds of flour, pancakes appear all over the world and are enjoyed by adults and children alike.

The Guardian

The eyes begin to glaze when he begins yet another interview with a slight variation on the question, "How did you get interested in the stock market?" And while a reader might forgive a tendency to be a bit too fawning when the subject of the interview was a true market wizard, many of Mr. Schwager's subjects this go-round are more the wizard's apprentice.

The New York Times

That's where we stand right now with the state of connected cars: History is repeating itself, with a slight variation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

A recipe that calls for butternut can be made with acorn with only a slight variation in flavor.

Los Angeles Times

"If GitHub gets breached, you need to do a mass reset of passwords — this takes time in the enterprise, and you have to pray for [users] not to change the password with only a slight variation".

TechCrunch

The shear strength values of the AISI 1080 steel were within similar ranges with only a slight variation in shear strengths observed at surface roughness (Ra) of 0.47 µm where A2 possessed almost twice the shear stress and 0.62 µm where A1 was distinctly higher.

Applied Adhesion Science

The scorecard on Bill Cosby reads like this: A dozen or more women have said with only a slight variation in the time, place and circumstance that Cosby seduced them, propositioned them, promised them favors, put them up, even paid them, then drugged or plied them with alcohol and sexually abused them.

Huffington Post

With but a slight variation, Sukkot and its festive bouquet serve as an annual reminder of the need for head, heart, soul and spine, using that which animates us to animate others in active stewardship of this planet we call home.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with a slight variation", ensure the context makes it clear what the original or standard version is, so the variation is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "with a slight variation" if the differences are significant or fundamentally change the subject. In such cases, it's better to use a more descriptive phrase that accurately reflects the extent of the changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a slight variation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how something is done or exists. It indicates that an action or a state is performed or exists with a small degree of difference or alteration. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a slight variation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a minor difference between similar things. According to Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and general discourse. To ensure clarity, always make clear what constitutes the base or standard when indicating a variation. Avoid overstating the significance of the variation to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a minor modification

Emphasizes the act of changing something slightly.

with a small adjustment

Focuses on the act of fine-tuning something.

with a subtle alteration

Highlights the delicate and understated nature of the change.

with a marginal difference

Indicates that the change is barely noticeable.

with a touch of change

Suggests that the change is minimal and adds a unique quality.

with a hint of variation

Implies that the variation is almost imperceptible.

with a shade of difference

Indicates a minimal distinction or hue.

in a slightly different form

Focuses on the altered format or presentation.

to a slightly different degree

Emphasizes the variance in intensity or extent.

subject to minor changes

Highlights the potential for small adjustments.

FAQs

How can I use "with a slight variation" in a sentence?

You can use "with a slight variation" to indicate a minor difference between two similar things. For example: "The recipe is the same as before, but I made it "with a slight variation" by adding more spices."

What's the difference between "with a slight variation" and "with a major change"?

"With a slight variation" indicates a small difference, whereas "with a major change" suggests a significant alteration that substantially transforms something.

Which is correct, "with a slight variation" or "with slight variation"?

"With a slight variation" is the more common and grammatically sound phrase. "With slight variation" is less frequently used and can sound awkward in some contexts.

What can I say instead of "with a slight variation"?

You can use alternatives like "with a minor modification", "with a small adjustment", or "with a subtle alteration" depending on the context.