a small achievement

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small achievement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something which can be seen as a success, but is still not particularly impressive. For example: "Not winning the competition was a disappointment, but the fact that we made it to the final was still a small achievement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That alone wouldn't be a small achievement.

The New Yorker

But she invented and nurtured the Camelot myth that still enthrals the world, and that was hardly a small achievement.

The Guardian - Books

It is one of Britain's largest ports, thanks to the freight terminal a few miles away - not a small achievement for a place in England as far away from the sea as it can be.

The Guardian - Opinion

And if being able to keep a boy's attention so that he still remembers your show decades later seems like a small achievement, then just try to name a children's broadcaster of similarly gentle gravitas working today.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That the case was returned to Connecticut, where it may receive more sympathetic hearing, is a small achievement in what will be a very long and uphill battle for the families, said Timothy Lytton, a law professor at Georgia State University College of Law and editor of Suing the Gun Industry: A Battle at the Crossroads of Gun Control and Mass Torts.

The Guardian

EM in the Netherlands has developed from scratch to become an independent medical speciality, by no means a small achievement.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If they have the same number, the one with a smaller achievement function wins.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Targeted programs might result in a smaller achievement gap between children in poverty and others in the United States, but all children, rich and poor alike would be worse off in absolute terms than in a universal scenario.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Plays Made to Order' (Friday through Sunday) Getting your play performed by a professional cast is no small achievement for a young writer — particularly if that writer is only 10.

The New York Times - Arts

Having at least one small achievement a day does wonders for having a good attitude in life and something to look forward to.

WikiHow

Self-reverence — to revere and respect oneself as one might a god — is no small achievement, as the proliferation of "self-help" programs and pop psychology slogans like "I'm OK, you're OK" would suggest.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small achievement" to acknowledge progress without overstating its significance, particularly when discussing ongoing projects or incremental improvements.

Common error

Avoid using "a small achievement" sarcastically or dismissively, as it can undermine the efforts of those involved. Ensure your tone aligns with the intended meaning of recognizing modest success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small achievement" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it typically serves to denote a minor success or accomplishment. This aligns with the phrase's usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62.5%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small achievement" is a phrase used to acknowledge a minor success or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability in various contexts. While not as impactful as a major victory, it serves to recognize effort and maintain momentum, and can be used in everyday conversation or news articles. It is important to be aware of its subtle nuances, in order to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases, such as "a modest accomplishment" or "a minor success", offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest accomplishment

Replaces "achievement" with "accomplishment", suggesting a slightly more formal tone and implying a completed task.

a minor success

Substitutes "achievement" with "success", focusing on the positive outcome but maintaining the small scale.

a limited triumph

Emphasizes the victorious aspect, but the adjective "limited" restricts the scope of the win.

a slight feat

Uses "feat" to highlight the skill or effort involved, while "slight" keeps the scale small.

a negligible gain

Focuses on the improvement made, but describes it as insignificant or barely noticeable.

a marginal improvement

Highlights progress, however the use of "marginal" suggests it's barely significant.

a petty victory

"Petty" suggests the victory is unimportant, even trivial.

a symbolic gesture

Shifts the focus to the symbolic meaning of the action, rather than its tangible outcome.

a narrow escape

Expresses avoiding a negative outcome by a small margin.

a token success

Highlights that the success is small and represents a larger effort or principle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small achievement" to describe a minor success or accomplishment, for example: "While not a complete solution, securing the initial funding was "a small achievement" in our efforts to expand the project."

What's a good alternative to "a small achievement"?

Alternatives include "a modest accomplishment", "a minor success", or "a limited triumph", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to downplay "a small achievement"?

While it's important to acknowledge progress, downplaying "a small achievement" might be appropriate when it's overshadowed by larger failures or unmet goals. However, ensure you still recognize the effort involved.

What's the difference between "a small achievement" and "a significant accomplishment"?

"A small achievement" indicates a minor success, while "a significant accomplishment" suggests a more substantial and impactful achievement. The choice depends on the scale and importance of the accomplishment.