a minor deviation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor deviation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant change from a standard or expected outcome. Example: "The project timeline experienced a minor deviation due to unforeseen circumstances, but we are still on track to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This shouldn't come as a surprise, though it's a minor deviation from the norm.

The New York Times - Arts

And for good commercial reasons: their model showed that even a minor deviation from this "ideal" level of slant would hurt profits through a sizeable loss of circulation.Have I got skews for youShowing that newspapers have a political slant that is economically rational does not necessarily answer the question of whether ownership or demand determines bias.

The Economist

Apart from a minor deviation for a tiny "bubble" car in the 1950s, every BMW since then has been designed with a grille that's split down the middle.

Forbes

In practice, 93.5 % are sufficient since the selection of the (most likely) second-best-matching tariff only results in a minor deviation as shown below.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

It's a minor deviation from the awful energy status quo and would be a depressing end indeed to the year-long Obama-era effort to finally address America's energy problems.

Huffington Post

CTLA4 −1722 showed a minor deviation from HWE in the control group but as this occurred in one subgroup only it was considered fortuitous (Table 3).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Follow the prescription instructions exactly, as any minor deviation can slow the process of inducing of lactation.

WikiHow

A feedback model between the stress perceived by a cell and orientation of the CMFs, which assumes an alignment of the CMF in the direction of maximal stress results in a very minor deviation of the stress pattern from the stress orientation obtained in the case of an isotropic material.

eLife

Grade I complications included any minor deviations from a normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacologic intervention.

Surgical Case Reports

The additional application of folic acid (n = 4) was not considered as a protocol violation (minor deviation).

BMC Cancer

Five patients (36%) presented an episode of minor deviation (0.5° 1 °C), and one patient (6%) a deviation >1 °C versus the TT.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minor deviation" to acknowledge slight differences or changes without overemphasizing them. This is particularly useful in reports or analyses where precision is important but small variations are expected.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor deviation" when the difference is actually substantial. Misrepresenting a significant change as minor can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor deviation" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe the nature of a change or difference, indicating that it is small and not significant. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor deviation" is a noun phrase used to describe a small and insignificant difference or change. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both science and news contexts. When writing, use this phrase to acknowledge variations without overstating their importance, and consider using alternatives like ""slight alteration"" or ""small variance"" for variety. Avoid using it if the deviation is actually substantial, as this could mislead your audience. The phrase conveys a sense of neutrality and is most appropriate in formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slight alteration

This refers to a small change or modification.

Small variance

This emphasizes the difference, though small, from a standard or average.

Marginal difference

This highlights the insignificant or barely noticeable nature of the difference.

Modest change

This implies a small and limited modification.

Tiny modification

This stresses the small size of the change.

Barely perceptible shift

This emphasizes that the change is difficult to notice.

Negligible difference

This underlines the fact that the change is so small it is not important.

Insignificant variation

This indicates that the difference is not meaningful or important.

Subtle divergence

This suggests a slight and indirect departure from a particular path or course.

Nominal alteration

This emphasizes that the alteration exists in name only and not in substance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor deviation" to describe a small change or difference from what is expected or standard. For example: "The project experienced "a minor deviation" from the original timeline, but we are still on schedule."

What are some alternatives to "a minor deviation"?

Some alternatives include "slight alteration", "small variance", or "marginal difference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a minor deviation"?

No, it's important to ensure that the deviation truly is minor. If the change is significant, using "a major deviation" or another more descriptive phrase would be more accurate.

What's the difference between "a minor deviation" and "a slight error"?

"A minor deviation" refers to any small difference, whereas "a slight error" specifically implies a mistake. You would use "a slight error" when something was done incorrectly.