a small adjustment.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small adjustment." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor change or modification that needs to be made to something. Example: "After reviewing the report, I realized that a small adjustment was needed to improve clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Genetics

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

With a small adjustment on the mound, he gave both himself and his team a lift.

The New York Times - Sports

The sides converged, clasping her firmly, and then, as she made a small adjustment, relaxed their grip slightly.

The New Yorker

A small adjustment in his sights will give him many perfect bull's-eyes in the next round.

Harvard Business Review

In practice, turning a movie toward the mainstream might mean just a small adjustment to the soundtrack.

The New York Times - Magazine

I asked Vince Cable to confirm they were accurate and, apart from a small adjustment for Iran, they all were.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small adjustment" when you want to convey that a change is minor and doesn't require significant effort or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "a small adjustment" when the change you're describing actually has a significant impact or requires considerable effort. Choose a more accurate description to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small adjustment" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a verb. It is used to describe a change that is not significant or substantial. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small adjustment" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor change or modification. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility is evident from its presence across news, scientific literature, and business contexts. When writing, use this phrase to convey that a change is not substantial and doesn't require significant effort. While alternatives like "minor modification" or "slight alteration" exist, "a small adjustment" is widely recognized and accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small modification

A variation of the original phrase with a different word order.

minor modification

Focuses on the act of modifying something in a small way.

slight alteration

Highlights a subtle change in form or character.

subtle adjustment

Focuses on the subtlety of the change.

tiny tweak

Emphasizes the small size of the adjustment being made.

minimal change

Highlights that the change is as small as possible.

minor correction

Suggests fixing a small error or inaccuracy.

slight refinement

Implies improving something by making small changes.

slight shift

Indicates a small change in position or direction.

fine-tuning

Implies making very precise adjustments for optimal performance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small adjustment" to indicate that a minor change is needed or has been made. For example, "With "a small adjustment" to the budget, we can meet our goals."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small adjustment"?

Alternatives include "minor modification", "slight alteration", or "tiny tweak", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a slight adjustment" or "a small adjustment"?

Both "a slight adjustment" and "a small adjustment" are correct and generally interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says "just a small adjustment"?

It typically means that the person is suggesting or implementing a minor change that shouldn't cause significant disruption or require a lot of effort. It can imply ease and simplicity in the process.