a minor variation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor variation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or slight change or difference in something. Example: "The design of the new model features a minor variation in color compared to the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He called the calculation error "a minor variation" that "doesn't make a practical difference".

The New York Times - Sports

His final performed work was Me, Myself and I (2007), a minor variation on his career-long motif of domestic dysfunction surreally presented, in which a mother is unable to tell her two sons apart.

The Guardian

There is a minor variation (<10%) in the LC obtained between instantaneous sensor readings over one particular interaction.

Journal of Modern Transportation

A minor variation in temperature under low magnitude warming is more effective to changes in volume and area of glacier than high magnitude warming.

Environmental Systems Research

Even if this result is not accurate as standard pore characterization (such as gas adsorption or thermo-porometry), it clearly confirms a minor variation in pore dimensions.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The comparison between these curves shown in Figs. 12 and 13 indicated a minor variation in mass removal from the main watershed and their sub basins.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Yet the set of A minor variations that closes the collection has inspired further variations by composers of all kinds, from Brahms and Rachmaninoff to Dallapiccola and Lutoslawski.

The New York Times - Arts

The soil pH showed a very minor variation along the elevation gradient.

Ecological Processes

There was a very minor variation in the resolution and tailing factor results observed in all the robustness conditions illustrating the robustness of the method.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

There must be subtle structural/chemical influences which favor cycloidal, weakly ferromagnetic, or purely antiferromagnetic ordering schemes, but this can be only a very minor variation.

Chemistry of Materials

Approximately 6000 genes were ranked on their Golub-scores – a high score for a gene implicating minor variation in expression within the subtype but large variation between the subtypes, in turn implicating high discriminating power.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor variation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being varied and the nature of the variation. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor variation" when the difference is actually substantial. Using it inappropriately can mislead the reader and diminish the importance of significant changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor variation" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing the extent of difference or change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minor variation" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a slight difference or change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for a variety of contexts, including scientific, news, and professional writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and scope of the variation to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "a slight difference" or "a small change". Be mindful not to overstate the significance of the variation when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight difference

Focuses on the difference rather than the act of varying.

a small change

Emphasizes the change aspect and its small scale.

a subtle alteration

Highlights the subtlety of the modification.

a marginal modification

Stresses the insignificance of the modification.

a negligible difference

Indicates that the difference is so small it can be ignored.

a minimal adjustment

Highlights the action of adjusting and its minimal nature.

a trivial modification

Suggests the modification is unimportant or insignificant.

a shade of difference

Uses a metaphorical term to denote a very small distinction.

a hair's breadth difference

Emphasizes how extremely small the difference is.

a nuance

Indicates a subtle quality or distinction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor variation" to describe a slight difference between two things. For example: "The second version of the software includes "a minor variation" in the user interface".

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

You can use alternatives like "a slight difference", "a small change", or "a subtle alteration" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a minor variation" or "a major variation"?

Both are correct, but they describe different degrees of change. "A minor variation" indicates a small or insignificant change, while "a major variation" indicates a substantial or significant change.

What's the difference between "a minor variation" and "a slight adjustment"?

"A minor variation" refers to a small difference, while "a slight adjustment" implies that something was actively modified or corrected. Although in some contexts their meaning can overlap, the latter suggests a deliberate action.