a minor instance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small or insignificant occurrence of something, often in a context where you want to downplay the importance of the event. Example: "This is just a minor instance of miscommunication that can easily be resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, there are no sentencing guidelines, so to speak, when it comes to the Brady cop designation, so a prosecutor can consign an officer to the Brady list for life, even for a single, minor instance of dishonesty.

The Washington Post

Instead of stressing problematic issues by emphasizing each minor instance of petty crime or intolerance, politicians and information media should support regeneration projects—even outside central areas, to address issues such as the difficulty to organize events similar to Mantova's well-known literary festival (Festivaletteratura) outside the historical center.

City, Territory and Architecture

Often, what seems like one or two minor instances of name-calling are actually part of a much larger and intense, cross-platform campaign intended to intimidate and, sometimes, ruin a person's ability to work, go to school, and lead a healthy life.

Huffington Post

In this instance, moreover, there are only two minor instances of violence on record involving persons of Japanese ancestry.

Harvard University

In negotiation, even minor instances of immoral behavior could damage your reputation and your organization's as well.

Harvard University

In New York and New Jersey, where the rains were lighter, there were only minor instances of flooding in streets and basements, the agency reported.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the artist whose well-known work with fabric best evokes the body, Ernesto Neto, is here represented by minor instances of his pod forms made by filling nylon stockings with lead or plastic foam pellets.

The New York Times - Arts

But, Atallah said, this was precisely why the union was so resolute in doing so: even seemingly minor instances of due process shortcuts could augur more serious ones down the road.

Huffington Post

It is also possible that relatively minor instances of crime victimisation which occur in institutional settings (such as prisons) may be dealt with internally and not reported to police, therefore excluding these incidents from the source database.

BMC Psychiatry

Some minor instances of pages sticking together (especially in the corners) may be unavoidable.

WikiHow

A minor but emblematic instance of this misplaced emphasis occurs when Willie first meets the armed guard at the detention center where she'll be teaching a group of adolescent girls awaiting their asylum hearings.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minor instance of" when you want to downplay the significance of an event or occurrence. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor instance of" when the event has significant consequences or implications. This phrase is intended to minimize, not misrepresent, the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor instance of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies a specific occurrence and qualifies it as being of little significance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor instance of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to minimize the significance of an event or occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse fields, from news and media to academic and scientific contexts. It's most commonly used in News & Media contexts. Alternatives such as "a slight occurrence of" and "a trivial case of" offer similar ways to downplay importance, but it's crucial to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the context. Therefore, avoid using it when the event actually has substantial consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A slight occurrence of

Replaces "minor instance" with "slight occurrence", emphasizing the minimal impact.

A trivial case of

Substitutes "minor instance" with "trivial case", highlighting the insignificance of the event.

A small example of

Uses "small example" instead of "minor instance", focusing on the representational aspect rather than the impact.

An insignificant event of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive alternative, stressing the lack of importance.

A negligible episode of

Emphasizes the unimportance of the episode using "negligible".

A passing instance of

Indicates a brief and unimportant occurrence.

A fleeting occurrence of

Highlights the brief duration of the instance.

A petty incident of

Conveys the insignificance of the incident.

A diluted form of

Suggests a weaker or less intense version of something.

A limited occasion of

Indicates that the event happened rarely or under specific circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor instance of" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor instance of" to describe something that happened in a small way or that isn't particularly important. For example, "This is just "a minor instance of" miscommunication that can easily be resolved."

What are some alternatives to "a minor instance of"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight occurrence of", "a trivial case of", or "a small example of depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "a minor instance of"?

Use "a minor instance of" when you want to indicate that something is not a big deal or doesn't have serious consequences. It's suitable when you want to downplay the importance of an event.

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

"A minor instance of" refers to a small or insignificant occurrence, while "a major instance of" refers to a significant or substantial occurrence. The key difference is the degree of impact or importance.