a minor change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor change" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a small alteration or adjustment in something. Example: After receiving feedback, I made a few minor changes to my essay before submitting it for the final grade.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A minor change was made in phraseology.

Cornell University

"In the big picture, it's a minor change.

The Guardian

A minor change, perhaps, but it created a strong reaction.

The New York Times

A minor change was made to the Abstract.

Nature

Clegg says you should not have a referendum every time there is a minor change.

The Guardian

A new address must seem like a minor change compared to impending motherhood.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She is making only a minor change, replacing Vanguard Specialized Energy with Oppenheimer Real Asset.

The New York Times

That may appear to be a minor change, but it's a significant one.

Harvard Business Review

It seems a minor change but it's proven incredibly effective in our awareness efforts.

The Guardian

In contrast, the yield of acetic acid showed a minor change always.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

For now, a minor change in Orlando's offensive approach may yield immediate dividends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes, use "a minor change" to accurately reflect the scale of the alteration. This avoids exaggerating the impact of the modification.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor change" when the alteration has substantial implications. Ensure your language aligns with the actual impact of the modification to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor change" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence to denote a small alteration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor change" is a versatile phrase used to describe small alterations or adjustments. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. It functions as a noun phrase, conveying that an alteration is not significant or disruptive. Related phrases include "a slight modification" and "a small adjustment". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scale of the change to maintain credibility. Being one of the most frequent sources in the examples, The New York Times is a great source to seek for context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight modification

Focuses on the action of modifying something slightly.

a small adjustment

Emphasizes the act of adjusting something to a small degree.

a minimal adjustment

Highlights the very small quantity of the change.

a modest alteration

Highlights the moderate nature of the change.

a subtle variation

Suggests that the change is delicate and not immediately obvious.

a marginal difference

Indicates the change results in very little difference.

a fine-tuning

Suggests making small adjustments to optimize performance or results.

a negligible variation

The variation is so small it's practically insignificant.

a refinement

Implies that the change is an improvement or enhancement.

a tweak

Informal term for a small adjustment or refinement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor change" to describe a small alteration or adjustment, as in "The new software update includes "a minor change" to the user interface".

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

"A minor change" indicates a small, often insignificant alteration, while "a major change" signifies a significant and impactful modification.

What can I say instead of ""a minor change""?

Alternatives include "a slight modification", "a small adjustment", or "a subtle variation", depending on the context.

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

Yes, ""a minor change"" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a small alteration. It is a neutral and clear way to convey the scale of the modification.