a little modification

USAGE SUMMARY

'a little modification' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to describe a minor adjustment or change. For example, "I made a little modification to the recipe to suit my taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"So you introduce a little modification to an Act but this modification actually disables the whole Hunting Act and effectively this is repeal under a new name.

Independent

Years later, as an adolescent, she had seen a picture of a squeeze chute designed to hold or restrain calves, and realized that that was it: a little modification to make it suitable for human use, and it could be her magic machine.

The New Yorker

This isn't something a little modification can keep them in.

Forbes

The project does require a little modification to the bricks including running fine channels through them.

TechCrunch

Au@Ag NPs were prepared according to previously described method with a little modification [27].

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were generated according to Lutz's publication [10] with a little modification.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The total phenolics of five RC extracts were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method with a little modifications [30].

Chemistry Central Journal

Though PICASSO is a 3U CubeSat, its systems can be used in a 6U structure with little modification.

EPJ Quantum Technology

Moreover, FSM is designed in such a way that with little modification, its architecture can be changed into the architecture of DTW, MVM, and SSDTW and to CDP-like techniques.

Pattern Recognition

The DPPH radical-scavenging activity of RBPs was assayed based on a reported method [14] with little modification.

Chemistry Central Journal

We show that cChIP-seq is highly successful at generating data on 10,000 cells for several key histone modifications, and requires little modification to a standard ChIP-seq protocol.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little modification" when you want to downplay the extent of a change, making it sound less significant or disruptive. This can be useful in contexts where you want to reassure someone that the change is manageable.

Common error

Avoid using "a little modification" when the alteration is, in fact, substantial. This can be misleading and undermine your credibility. Be honest about the scale of the changes made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little modification" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little modification" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor change or adjustment. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its neutral register and frequent occurrence in both scientific and news contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the subtle differences in meaning between options like ""a slight adjustment"" or ""a minor alteration"" to best fit your intended nuance. Remember to use this phrase when accuracy and transparency are paramount and avoiding overstatements about the extent of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight adjustment

Focuses on the act of adjusting something slightly.

a minor alteration

Emphasizes that the change is small and not drastic.

a small refinement

Highlights the improvement aspect of the change.

a minimal change

Indicates the change is the smallest possible.

a touch of revision

Suggests a light and gentle revision process.

a gentle tweak

Implies a delicate and careful adjustment.

a subtle variation

Highlights that the change is hard to notice.

a shade of difference

Indicates a very slight and almost imperceptible change.

a degree of adaptation

Focuses on adapting something to fit a new context.

a limited adjustment

Stresses that the adjustment is restricted in scope.

FAQs

How can I use "a little modification" in a sentence?

You can use "a little modification" to indicate a minor change, such as, "We made "a little modification" to the design based on user feedback".

What are some alternatives to saying "a little modification"?

Alternatives include "a slight adjustment", "a minor alteration", or "a small refinement", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a little modification" or "a slight modification"?

Both "a little modification" and "a slight modification" are correct. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the change. They are very similar, but slight might suggest even less change.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a little modification"?

It's best to avoid "a little modification" when the changes are actually significant or have a major impact. In such cases, more accurate phrases like "a major overhaul" or "substantial changes" would be more appropriate.