a small addition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small addition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor increase or enhancement to something, such as a document, project, or recipe. Example: "To improve the report, I suggest making a small addition to the conclusion that summarizes the key findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

So the Spitzer administration is now proposing a small addition of up to 60,000 square feet of additional meeting rooms and up to 40,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The New York Times

"What they needed was a small addition, but with multiple personalities".

The New York Times

His new role was, it turned out, just a small addition to his portfolio of major responsibilities.

The Guardian - Sport

FOR many homeowners, the benefits of adding a new room are often outweighed by cost: even a small addition usually runs into tens of thousands of dollars.

The New York Times

It's a small addition, but it just keeps that sense of physicality – that sense that you're actually out there dangling from a 200ft cliff.

The Guardian - Tech

He wants to help his mother finish a small addition to her low-ceilinged, cinder-block house, and to give her a new table.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This consists of copper and about 2 percent beryllium, with or without a smaller addition of nickel or cobalt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, a smaller addition (1 vol% CNTs) does not affect the signal in any significant way.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A possible reason is that in relation to travel time, a larger reduction of faster automobile trips was canceled out by a smaller addition of slower nonmotorized trips.

European Transport Research Review

The t.co URL shortener similar to those from bit.ly, awe.sm and tinyURL might seem like a relatively small addition to the company's offering.

Forbes

TwilioPlays2048 was built by Tejas Manohar (a highschooler!), with a few small additions to the open-source project contributed by others.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small addition", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being added to. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small addition" when the change or inclusion significantly alters the outcome. Ensure the adjective "small" accurately reflects the magnitude of the addition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small addition" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes something being added that is not large or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage based on numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small addition" is a versatile phrase used to describe minor increases or enhancements. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across different contexts. While it's considered generally neutral, it's important to ensure that the "small" accurately reflects the magnitude of the addition to avoid overstating its impact. Related phrases such as "a minor increment" or "a slight increase" offer subtle variations in meaning, providing writers with options to convey the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor increment

Replaces "addition" with "increment", emphasizing a gradual increase.

a slight increase

Substitutes "small" with "slight" and "addition" with "increase", focusing on the minimal degree of change.

a tiny supplement

Replaces "small" with "tiny" and "addition" with "supplement", suggesting a very minimal and supporting element.

a modest enhancement

Changes "small" to "modest" and "addition" to "enhancement", implying an improvement that is not drastic.

a marginal adjustment

Uses "marginal" instead of "small" and "adjustment" for "addition", highlighting a change at the edge or limit.

a minimal increment

Replaces "small" with "minimal" emphasizing a small and necessary increasing value or amount.

a negligible augmentation

Substitutes "small" with "negligible" and "addition" with "augmentation", suggesting the addition is so small it's almost not worth mentioning.

a supplementary detail

Replaces "addition" with "supplementary detail", specifying that the addition is an extra piece of information.

a fractional increase

Uses "fractional" to emphasize the minute proportion of the addition to the whole.

a touch

A more concise and informal way of indicating a slight addition or adjustment.

FAQs

What does "a small addition" mean?

The phrase "a small addition" refers to a minor increase, supplement, or enhancement made to something. It implies that the change is not substantial or significant but rather a slight inclusion or adjustment.

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

You can use "a small addition" when describing minor changes. For instance, "A small addition of salt can enhance the flavor of the dish" or "The company made "a small addition" to their product line."

What are some alternatives to "a small addition"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor increment", "a slight increase", or "a tiny supplement" depending on the context.

Is "a small addition" formal or informal?

The phrase "a small addition" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.