a small admission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small admission" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging a minor truth or confession, often in a context where one is revealing something personal or slightly embarrassing. Example: "After much thought, I made a small admission that I had been wrong about the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Viewers paid a small admission for the privilege of seeing the painting unfurled.

The New York Times

There is also talk of opening the cemetery more often for visitors, and of charging a small admission fee.

The New York Times

The two best known, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Phousi, charge a small admission fee of around 70 cents.

The New York Times - Travel

Whether Judge Rakoff would even accept a small admission of wrongdoing by Citigroup along the lines of what Goldman acknowledged remains to be seen.

The New York Times

Sponsored by the local governments, these plays were attended by the entire community, a small admission fee being provided by the state for those who could not afford it themselves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's now secured by a tall metal white fence, and open for a small admission fee with limited hours, to the public.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Judge Crotty's reference to Goldman's statements in the settlement shows that companies might not get a complete free pass if the S.E.C. is able to extract at least some small admission of misconduct when it concludes a case.

The New York Times

It was no small admission coming from Mr. Wilbrecht, a 1992 Olympic biathlete.

The New York Times - Travel

On payment of the small admission fee ($3 for adults in Illinois), visitors are treated to an experience that is part-carnival, part-farm show, part-food emporium, part-town meeting.

The Economist

Instead of charging small admission fees and forcing the audience to eat $10nachos and order $5 beers, why not charge them $15 admission and forget the booze and food?

Forbes

This is proving very effective, and not something each of our relatively small admission offices could easily replicate.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small admission", ensure the context reflects the minor nature of the acknowledgment. This phrase is suitable for downplaying the significance of what's being admitted.

Common error

Avoid using "a small admission" when the issue is substantial or has significant consequences. Using it in such contexts can undermine the seriousness of the situation and appear dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small admission" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'small' modifies the noun 'admission'. It is used to indicate a minor or limited acknowledgment of something, often a fault or error. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small admission" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to denote a minor acknowledgment or confession. Ludwig AI's analysis and real-world examples from news, encyclopedias and scientific sources show it's most often used in neutral contexts to downplay the significance of what's being admitted. While not exceedingly common, with 6 exact examples found, it offers a nuanced way to express concession without overstating the issue. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the situation's gravity and avoid overstating or understating the admission significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor acknowledgment

Replaces "admission" with "acknowledgment", emphasizing the act of recognizing something.

a slight confession

Substitutes "admission" with "confession", highlighting the act of revealing something potentially negative or private.

a little concession

Replaces "admission" with "concession", focusing on yielding a point or fact.

a modest acknowledgment

Uses "modest" instead of "small", emphasizing the humble nature of the acknowledgment.

a partial admission

Highlights that only a part of something is being admitted.

a limited confession

Emphasizes that the confession is restricted in scope or detail.

a minor revelation

Replaces "admission" with "revelation", highlighting the act of making something known.

a grudging acknowledgment

Implies the acknowledgment is given unwillingly.

a qualified admission

Indicates the admission comes with conditions or limitations.

a tacit acknowledgment

Suggests the acknowledgment is implied rather than explicitly stated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small admission" to introduce a minor confession or acknowledgment, like, "After reviewing the data, I have "a small admission" to make: I was mistaken about the initial figures."

What can I say instead of "a small admission"?

Alternatives to "a small admission" include "a minor acknowledgment", "a slight confession", or "a little concession", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a small admission" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a small admission" is grammatically correct, it leans towards a neutral register. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a modest acknowledgment" or "a qualified admission".

What's the difference between "a small admission" and "a full confession"?

"A small admission" implies acknowledging a minor detail or fault, while "a full confession" suggests a complete and comprehensive admission of wrongdoing or truth.