a seemingly small

USAGE SUMMARY

"a seemingly small" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears small but may not actually be as small as it appears. For example, "The accomplishments of the team can be seen as a seemingly small win, but actually had important, long-term effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A seemingly small difference like this has enormous practical consequences.

Yale University

Facebook's birthday feature is a seemingly small but cleverly gracious component of the digital universe.

The New York Times

Behind all the monumental structures at Lincoln Center is a seemingly small, unobtrusive building.

The New York Times - Arts

Lack of knowledge about germs and sanitation could cause even a seemingly small scratch to bring death from infection.

The New York Times

But a seemingly small shift in long-term returns would have a big impact on long-term investors.

The New York Times

It doesn't take long for even a seemingly small wrong turn to lead to catastrophe, in political or human terms.

The New Yorker

At issue is a seemingly small modification to the way the government decides how much students should pay for college.

The New York Times

This type of strong response to a seemingly small event is known as phenotypic resonance and is probably more common in early life, Dr. Massot said.

The New York Times - Science

A seemingly small mineral discovery in the central Faro region in the 1960s eventually became one of the world's largest lead-zinc mining operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A large foreign news media contingent is rightfully transfixed by Mr. Headley, the star government witness in the trial of Tahawwur Rana, a seemingly small-fish Chicago businessman.

The New York Times

Old tissue samples from the case have been compared with DNA taken from contemporary criminals, and there's been a match with a seemingly small-time hoodlum.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a seemingly small", follow it with an explanation of why it is, in fact, important or impactful. This clarifies the contrast and reinforces your point.

Common error

Avoid using "a seemingly small" without clarifying why it matters. Failing to elaborate can leave readers confused and diminish the impact of your statement. Ensure you provide context and reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a seemingly small" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically as an adjective phrase. It pre-modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's apparent size or importance is deceptive. This is validated by Ludwig's examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a seemingly small" is a versatile and frequently used adjective phrase that adds depth to writing by highlighting the contrast between initial appearances and actual significance. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is found across various contexts, most commonly in news, academic, and scientific sources. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to draw attention to elements that might otherwise be overlooked, prompting a closer examination of their potential impact. When using this phrase, remember to clarify the underlying importance to maximize its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a seemingly insignificant

Synonym for "small", implies something may be more important than it appears.

a seemingly negligible

Synonym for "small", implies the thing can be ignored.

an apparently minor

Replaces "seemingly" with "apparently", emphasizing the surface-level perception of insignificance. Also, minor replaces small.

an apparently trivial

Replaces "seemingly" with "apparently", emphasizing the surface-level perception of insignificance. The meaning of the sentence remains practically unchanged.

an ostensibly trivial

Replaces "seemingly" with "ostensibly", suggesting the smallness is more about appearance than reality.

a deceptively trivial

Highlights the potential for underestimation due to an initial impression of insignificance. "Trivial" replaces "small" to emphasize unimportance.

a superficially minor

Highlights that the minor aspect is only on the surface. "Superficially" emphasizes the initial impression.

a superficially insignificant

Emphasizes that the lack of significance is only on the surface. "Insignificant" replaces "small" to reinforce the idea of lacking importance.

a purportedly negligible

Indicates that something is claimed to be small but may not actually be. Purportedly questions the veracity of the insignificance.

a facially unsubstantial

Focuses on the immediate impression of lacking substance or importance. "Unsubstantial" replaces "small" and stresses lack of content.

FAQs

How can I use "a seemingly small" in a sentence?

Use "a seemingly small" to introduce something that appears minor but has significant consequences. For example, "A seemingly small change in policy led to widespread improvements".

What are some alternatives to "a seemingly small"?

You can use alternatives such as "an apparently minor", "a deceptively trivial", or "a superficially insignificant" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to explain why something that appears 'a seemingly small' is actually important?

While not always grammatically necessary, explaining the significance enhances the impact and clarity of your writing. Without explanation, the phrase may lose its intended effect.

Can "a seemingly small" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "a seemingly small" is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal writing, although consider the specific audience and purpose of your writing when choosing this phrase.