a minor amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor amendment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or insignificant change or modification to a document, proposal, or plan. Example: "The committee decided to make a minor amendment to the original proposal to clarify the budget allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A minor amendment was made to the penultimate paragraph of this article on 22 March 2010.

The Guardian - Opinion

This sixth paragraph of this article received a minor amendment for the sake of clarity at 3.45pm (ET) on 2 October.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any attempt to add even a minor amendment would force the legislation into a House-Senate conference, where opponents would be able to bottle it up.

The New York Times

One of them is to propose a minor amendment to the Shays-Meehan bill with the purpose of sending it into a House-Senate conference, where the bill would almost certainly be derailed.

The New York Times

In February 1983, the Labour MP John Golding spoke for 11 hours 15 minutes about a minor amendment to the British Telecom privatisation bill; this undoubtedly helped delay privatisation until after the 1983 election, but the feat is often denied full filibuster status because it was performed in a standing committee, not in the Commons chamber, so Golding could take breaks.

The Guardian

The results emphasise that a minor amendment to the way screening is conducted can have important effects on uptake rates.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A further plus point is that these products won't have any hidden nasties buried in the small print with Virgin eliminating the charges often levied by insurers for cancellation or for a minor amendments to your cover.

Independent

A protocol minor amendment has also enabled approval to be given for research team members to be present at face-to-face intervention sessions and to record telephone counselling.

BMJ Open

The bill then passed to a third reading in the House of Lords, where it took a few minor amendments, but escaped any significant opposition barring a brief dispute over the status of Cadet units; it was eventually agreed that they could be supported by the associations provided that no funding was to be provided from money voted by Parliament.

Wikipedia

The SEC should do more to promote better disclosure of any company that is listed in the U.S. Aside from a few minor amendments, the rules for foreign filers haven't changed in more than 20 years.

Forbes

At the end of the trial, 24 months after enrolment, respondents were re-interviewed when the baseline questionnaire (with a few minor amendments) was re-administered.

Aging and Mental Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proposing "a minor amendment", clearly articulate its purpose and expected impact, no matter how small, to ensure all parties understand its value.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "a minor amendment". Clearly define it as such to manage expectations and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor amendment" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "minor" modifies the noun "amendment". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly used in various contexts to denote a small change or modification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor amendment" is a commonly used phrase that accurately describes a small or insignificant change to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the change you are describing is genuinely minor to avoid misrepresentation. While alternatives such as "a slight modification" or "a small alteration" exist, the most appropriate choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight modification

Focuses on the act of modifying something slightly, rather than the change itself being an amendment.

a small alteration

Highlights the act of altering something on a small scale.

a trivial change

Emphasizes the insignificance or lack of importance of the change.

a modest adjustment

Implies a change that is both small and intended to improve something.

a negligible revision

Stresses that the revision is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a simple tweak

Suggests an easy and quick adjustment.

a cosmetic correction

Indicates a change made primarily to improve appearance, rather than substance.

a superficial adjustment

Emphasizes that the adjustment does not affect the core aspects.

a light edit

Indicates an editing process that involves minimal changes.

a fine-tuning

Suggests a slight adjustment made to optimize something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor amendment" to describe a small change to a document, plan, or law. For example, "The committee approved "a minor amendment" to the budget proposal".

What are some alternatives to "a minor amendment"?

Alternatives include "a slight modification", "a small alteration", or "a trivial change", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a minor amendment" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minor amendment" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally describes a small adjustment or change. Terms like "a modest adjustment" or "a negligible revision" can also work well depending on context.

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

"A minor amendment" indicates a small, often insignificant change, while "a major amendment" signifies a substantial, impactful alteration. The choice depends on the scale and effect of the change being described.