a minor adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor adjustment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small change or modification that is needed in a process, plan, or item. Example: "After reviewing the report, I realized that a minor adjustment was necessary to improve clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It's a minor adjustment," Girardi said.

The New York Times

The plan will need a minor adjustment.

The New York Times - Sports

Some simple checks or a minor adjustment on your part may restore proper operation.

The New York Times - Books

"They asked for a minor adjustment to our proposal," Cashman said.

The New York Times - Sports

At one point, Girardi said Kennedy needed only a minor adjustment.

The New York Times - Sports

"Just a minor adjustment in the setup and the ball is rolling on line now".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's like the shrug of a giant when asleep, slightly shifting position -- a very minor adjustment.

Huffington Post

The first application makes a relatively minor adjustment to the standard machinery by augmenting the standard model inputs with new features learned from data using an MLP.

University of California, Berkeley

We call the second type 'high-leverage problems.' These are issues where a relatively minor adjustment made in one area can create huge cascading follow-on effects elsewhere.

Forbes

The shift of fuel does not require any major investments in remodelling vessels, only a possible minor adjustment of tanks and engines.

European Transport Research Review

The bar from that photo has been rebuilt in a TV studio, with a few minor adjustments, to double as a pub in the grimy backstreets of Birmingham, England.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor adjustment", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being adjusted and why. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor adjustment" when the change significantly alters the outcome or requires substantial effort. Overstating the simplicity can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor adjustment" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "adjustment". It describes the act of making a small correction or change. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minor adjustment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a small change or modification. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely accepted and appears across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives depending on the specific context. When employing this phrase, ensure the change's minor nature is accurately represented to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight modification

Replaces "adjustment" with "modification" and "minor" with "slight", emphasizing the small scale of the change.

a small alteration

Substitutes "adjustment" with "alteration" and "minor" with "small", both indicating a minimal change.

a minimal tweak

Replaces "minor adjustment" with "minimal tweak", using a more informal term.

a simple correction

Replaces "adjustment" with "correction" focusing on rectifying an error.

a light revision

Uses "revision" instead of "adjustment", suggesting a review and slight modification.

a modest change

Employs "change" in place of "adjustment" and "modest" instead of "minor", highlighting the limited impact.

a subtle shift

Indicates a barely perceptible change in direction or emphasis.

a fractional refinement

Replaces both "minor" and "adjustment" with more formal and precise synonyms.

a marginal difference

Focuses on the outcome of the change, emphasizing its small impact.

an insignificant amendment

Highlights the lack of importance of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor adjustment" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor adjustment" to describe a small change or modification made to something. For instance, "The recipe only required "a minor adjustment" to the spices".

What are some alternatives to "a minor adjustment"?

Alternatives include "a slight change", "a small modification", or "a minimal tweak", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a minor adjustment" or "a small adjustment"?

Both "a minor adjustment" and "a small adjustment" are correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "a minor adjustment" and "a major overhaul"?

"A minor adjustment" refers to a small, often easily implemented change, while "a major overhaul" implies a significant and comprehensive alteration. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of change.