Literary notes about slightly (AI summary)
In literature, "slightly" is often used as a subtle modifier that indicates a small degree of change, characteristic, or nuance. Authors deploy it to temper descriptions, making actions and traits appear understated or only marginally different. For example, a character might move or speak with only a hint of variation, as when someone "turned his head very slightly" [1] or "pressed it ever so slightly inward" [2]. This usage extends to both physical descriptions and emotional states—whether noting that a feature is "slightly open" [3] or that a mood is "slightly disheartened" [4]. Moreover, in scientific or technical contexts, slightly qualifies differences in measurements or properties, such as substances that are "slightly soluble" [5]. Thus, by qualifying adjectives and verbs in this nuanced manner, "slightly" imbues narratives with a precise, almost imperceptible gradation of meaning, allowing authors to depict delicate shifts and marginal differences with care.