a few small adjustments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few small adjustments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to minor changes or modifications that need to be made to something. Example: "After reviewing the report, I believe we only need to make a few small adjustments before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A few "small adjustments" can go a long way, he adds.

The Guardian

With a few small adjustments in tone or policy, we could buy so much more of both today.

The New York Times

He also negotiated a few small adjustments in how they dealt him blackjack that, he claims, effectively cut the house edge to almost nothing.

The Economist

"It is social fanaticism," said Jamal Khashoggi, the deputy editor in chief of The Arab News, "but it takes just a few small adjustments to turn it into political fanaticism".

The New York Times

By the end of the day the lights on my modem had turned green, and it was left to me to make a few small adjustments to my computer.

The New York Times

I got my friend's recipe and proceeded to make a few small adjustments, the most significant of which was instead of simmering the peaches with sugar, I swapped in raw slices.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Like the maltster, the couple feel personally affronted (and accused) by his perverse reluctance to make the few small adjustments that could gain him such shining privileges.

The New Yorker

We made a few minor adjustments to the module developed for first-year students described previously to make it appropriate for a smaller class of advanced biology students.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The QWERTY keyboard arrangement has stuck, though, with a few minor adjustments.

The New York Times

But often, it just needs a few minor adjustments.

TechCrunch

With just a few minor adjustments, it promised to become a huge commercial success.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few small adjustments", ensure that the context reflects the need for only minor changes, not a complete overhaul. It can temper expectations and convey a sense of manageable improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "a few small adjustments" when more substantial changes are needed. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. Be honest about the scope of modifications required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few small adjustments" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the action needed to improve or correct something. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few small adjustments" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing minor changes or modifications. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context and opt for more precise alternatives like "minor modifications" or "modest revisions" in formal settings. Remember to use the phrase when only minor changes are genuinely needed to avoid misleading your audience. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "a few small adjustments" to communicate the scope of changes required while maintaining clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor modifications

Emphasizes the act of changing something, implying less the magnitude of the correction itself.

slight alterations

Highlights the subtlety and delicacy of the required changes.

a couple of tweaks

More informal, suggests quick and easy fixes.

some minor changes

General term for small alterations without emphasis on the action or subtlety.

small refinements

Suggests improvements to something already good, rather than correcting flaws.

a handful of fine-tunings

Implies a meticulous process of optimization.

several slight adaptations

Useful when changes are made to make something suitable for a new purpose or situation.

modest revisions

Suitable for more formal contexts, implying thoughtful and limited changes.

a sprinkling of corrections

Emphasizes the small number and corrective nature of adjustments.

slight improvements

Focuses on the positive outcome of making small changes.

FAQs

How can I use "a few small adjustments" in a sentence?

You can use "a few small adjustments" to indicate that only minor changes are needed to improve something. For example: "After reviewing the proposal, we only need to make "a few small adjustments" before submitting it."

What can I say instead of "a few small adjustments"?

You can use alternatives like "minor modifications", "slight alterations", or "a couple of tweaks" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a few small adjustments" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a few small adjustments" might be considered slightly informal for highly formal contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives such as "modest revisions" or "minor modifications".

What's the difference between "a few small adjustments" and "minor modifications"?

"A few small adjustments" is a more general phrase, while "minor modifications" emphasizes the act of changing something. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the changes themselves or the overall need for slight improvements.