a small adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small adjustment" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a small change or alteration made to something. Example: "After receiving feedback, the teacher made a small adjustment to the lesson plan to better suit the students' needs." In this sentence, "a small adjustment" refers to a minor change made to the lesson plan.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The actuarial view is that the system is probably in need of a small adjustment of the sort that Congress has approved in the past.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Ms. Yellen said on Wednesday that the Fed's move in December amounted to a small adjustment in rates, and that she did not agree with critics that it had an outsize impact.

The New York Times

For big brands, a small adjustment can make a big difference, notes Neil Williams of the British Beer & Pub Association, a trade body.In this section Pulled hither and thither Just more of the same?

The Economist

Adjusting the probabilities pα′ k requires a small adjustment that approaches zero in the limit of large population size.

Genetics

For ES = 0 or 1, to avoid generating missing data, a small adjustment term (2n)−1 was applied to the logit-transformation [ 15].

BMC Infectious Diseases

The net effect will be a small adjustment in campaign dynamics, as the nominees get an extra week to bask in what Academy officials sometimes like to call their "nominee-ness," before the envelopes are opened on Oscar night.

The New York Times

A small adjustment was in order.

The New York Times

It's a small adjustment in the configuration".

The New York Times

A small adjustment to Peter Marks's article "Got Time?

The New York Times

Even a small adjustment to a care plan can make a big difference.

The Guardian

A small adjustment, perhaps, but it made a world of difference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small adjustment" when you want to emphasize that the change is not drastic or significant. This is useful when downplaying potential concerns about the scope of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "a small adjustment" when the change is actually substantial. Using it to describe a large modification can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small adjustment" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a minor alteration or modification. Ludwig AI shows many examples where it is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small adjustment" is a common noun phrase used to indicate a minor alteration or modification. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically correct and widely used in varied contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When writing, use it to downplay the significance of a change, but be careful not to misrepresent substantial changes as minor. Semantically similar alternatives include "a minor modification" and "a slight alteration". Understanding the correct usage ensures clear communication and avoids misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor modification

Focuses on the act of changing something slightly.

a slight alteration

Emphasizes the subtle nature of the change.

a minimal change

Highlights the limited extent of the adjustment.

a tweak

A more informal term for a small refinement.

a fine-tuning

Suggests an adjustment made for optimization.

a minor correction

Implies fixing a small error or inaccuracy.

a subtle shift

Focuses on a gentle or barely noticeable change in direction or emphasis.

a small revision

Specifically refers to revising or editing something slightly.

a fractional variation

Implies a very small numerical change.

a marginal difference

Highlights the small impact or significance of the adjustment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small adjustment" to indicate a minor change or modification. For example, "With "a small adjustment on the mound", he improved his pitching."

What are some alternatives to "a small adjustment"?

Some alternatives include "a minor modification", "a slight alteration", or "a minimal change", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small adjustments" instead of "a small adjustment"?

No, "a small adjustments" is grammatically incorrect. "Adjustment" should be singular when preceded by the article "a".

What's the difference between "a small adjustment" and "a big adjustment"?

"A small adjustment" refers to a minor change, while "a big adjustment" indicates a significant or major change.