a minor number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small quantity or a lesser amount in various contexts, such as statistics or data analysis. Example: "In the survey results, a minor number of participants reported dissatisfaction with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Background: Choking is an important cause of children's injury and death; food products and common objects are the most frequent offending bodies and small-part toys are responsible for a minor number of accidents.

International Congress Series

This fact implies a minor number of receivers distributed in azimuth for small elevation angles.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A minor number also dropped out because of health or language problems.

Comparative Migration Studies

Also for the overall frame loss rate our allocation method suffers a minor number of losses with respect to the other approaches.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

32% of 334 information requests for articles which were suspected to contain SVHCs were answered by suppliers and a minor number of these answers were of good quality.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Even though this findings occur in a minor number of cases, the possible presence of radioactive urine may lead to underrate or overestimate areas of focal uptake.

European Journal of Hybrid Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

However, even under selective pressure only a very minor number of cell clones yield in high and stable expression of the gene of interest.

BMC Biotechnology

A comparative study revealed that minor number of AuNP aggregates on a glass surface gave stronger optical absorbance compared to single AuNP.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Most reports were classified as minor, with a small number listed as critical.

The Guardian

A small number of minor casualties from the multinational force were reported, and no civilian casualties.

The Guardian

Compute capability numbers consist of two values: a major revision number that is indicating fundamental changes in chip design and capabilities, and a minor revision number referring to incremental changes in the device core architecture.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor number", ensure the context clearly indicates what the number refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "a minor number of cases" rather than just "a minor number".

Common error

Avoid using "a minor number" to downplay significant issues. While the quantity may be small, its impact could still be substantial. Be honest about the importance of even "a few" occurrences if they have serious consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a quantity that is both small and relatively unimportant. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to denote a limited quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor number" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a small and often insignificant quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate in various contexts, including scientific, news, and formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the reference and avoid using it to downplay significant issues. Alternatives such as ""a few"" or "a small number" may be suitable depending on the context. Remember to maintain honesty and avoid misrepresenting the impact of even small quantities when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few

A more concise and common way to express a small number. More informal.

a small quantity

Replaces "number" with "quantity", focusing on amount rather than count. It is fairly interchangeable and semantically similar.

a limited amount

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the quantity, highlighting that it is not abundant.

a handful

Implies a very small, easily countable quantity, adding a more informal tone.

a trickle

Suggests a very small and gradual flow or appearance, which is suitable when discussing things that appear over time.

an insignificant number

Highlights the lack of importance or impact due to the small quantity.

a negligible quantity

Focuses on the unimportance of the quantity because of its small size, often used in technical contexts.

a scattering

Suggests a dispersed and sparse quantity, implying that the items are not concentrated.

a modicum

Implies a very small, often barely sufficient amount, adding a formal and somewhat archaic tone.

a sparse amount

Emphasizes the scantiness of the amount, suggesting it is thinly distributed.

FAQs

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

Use "a minor number" to indicate a small quantity or portion. For example, "A minor number of students failed the test" or "A minor number of errors were found in the report".

What are some alternatives to saying "a minor number"?

Instead of "a minor number", you could use phrases like ""a few"", "a small number", "very few", or "a limited number" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a minor number" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure your tone and word choice align with the professional context. It is less formal than "a negligible amount" but more formal than "not many".

What's the difference between "a minor number" and "a small number"?

While similar, "a minor number" often implies that the quantity is not only small but also less significant in some way. "A small number" simply indicates quantity without necessarily implying insignificance.