a small acknowledgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small acknowledgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief recognition or expression of gratitude towards someone or something. Example: "I would like to offer a small acknowledgment to my mentor for their invaluable support throughout my career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His gesture is a small acknowledgment that maybe, just maybe, divisiveness in the country comes from those who automatically assume Muslims are terrorists and black people are thugs.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There wasn't an unseemly amount of cleavage showing," the reporter granted, but she found it "a provocation" and "startling to see that small acknowledgment of sexuality and femininity".

The New York Times - Magazine

Micro-affirmations are small acknowledgments of a person's value.

University of California, Berkeley

It's an unremarkable scene, doggedly ordinary even, but Gunaratne meticulously details their greetings (that slightly awry "side-hug and a palm on the back"), their small acknowledgments and terse exchanges.

The Guardian - Books

Organizing a small celebration or acknowledgment of the company's commitment to diversity, specifically the LGBT community, will make them feel welcomed and appreciated at work.

Huffington Post

Advocates who have been pressing the government in and out of court to be more open about its use of force overseas called the acknowledgment a small step toward transparency.

The New York Times

The only on-screen acknowledgment is a small Nature Valley logo in a corner of the screen, similar to cable network logos that appear during programming.

The New York Times

A small smile, resulting from the acknowledgment that we had noticed the one Friday night back home in Los Angeles, formed in the corner of Kobe Bryant's mouth.

The New York Times - Sports

Obama manages to throw a bone to the right, however, with his endorsement of merit pay and an acknowledgment that a small number of teachers should be shown the door.

Huffington Post

This simple acknowledgment brought forth a plate with a small pile of corned beef from one of the men.

The New York Times

They get that in the grand scheme of things, the acknowledgment they offer their biggest fans is a small gesture when compared to the energy and commitment these fans put into the teams and players year after year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small acknowledgment" to subtly recognize a contribution or event without overemphasizing its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a small acknowledgment" when a more substantial recognition is warranted; doing so can diminish the perceived value of the contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small acknowledgment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It denotes a brief or limited form of recognition or appreciation, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small acknowledgment" is a phrase used to indicate a brief or subtle form of recognition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, be mindful of situations that require more substantial recognition, as using this phrase in such cases may diminish the perceived value of the contribution. Consider alternatives like "brief recognition" or "token gesture" based on the intended nuance. The phrase serves best when a light touch is appropriate, recognizing without overstating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief acknowledgement

Focuses on the conciseness of the recognition.

a minor recognition

Highlights the limited extent or significance of the acknowledgement.

a slight nod

Emphasizes a subtle, often non-verbal, form of acknowledgement.

a token gesture

Implies that the acknowledgement is symbolic or perfunctory.

a passing mention

Suggests the acknowledgement is brief and not central to the topic.

a cursory acknowledgement

Indicates a superficial or hasty acknowledgement.

a faint praise

Suggests a minimal level of commendation.

a limited endorsement

Implies only partial or conditional support.

a subtle validation

Highlights the understated nature of the acknowledgement.

a humble appreciation

Emphasizes the modesty and sincerity of the acknowledgement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small acknowledgment" to indicate a brief or minor form of recognition. For example: "His gesture is "a small acknowledgment" that maybe, just maybe, divisiveness in the country comes from those who automatically assume Muslims are terrorists and black people are thugs."

What are some alternatives to "a small acknowledgment"?

Alternatives include phrases like "brief recognition", "minor recognition", or "token gesture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a small acknowledgment"?

It's appropriate when you want to recognize something without making it seem overly significant or formal. It's suitable for situations where a brief nod is sufficient.

Is there a difference between "a small acknowledgment" and "a simple acknowledgment"?

While both suggest a degree of modesty, "a small acknowledgment" emphasizes the size or impact of the recognition, whereas "a simple acknowledgment" highlights its lack of complexity or elaboration.