a small argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor disagreement or dispute between individuals. Example: "During the meeting, there was a small argument about the budget allocation that needed to be resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A small argument stirs the waters a bit and gets the boat rocking.

Independent

They have produced some bad sunburns and sore feet but, amazingly, not even a small argument.

The New York Times - Travel

One afternoon, Huntington listened to the couple have a small argument.

The New Yorker

He also makes a small argument about a potential flaw in the jury instruction about the materiality of the information that is tacked on at the end, but this point is unlikely to merit much discussion at the oral argument.

The New York Times

This isn't a small argument, and it goes beyond our current simplistic ideological dialogue in which there are only two perspectives: left and right.

TechCrunch

That concept has been undercut by ensuing declines, better harmonizing Twilio's current value and its value at IPO. Regardless, you can make a small argument that Twilio, now worth $24, should have priced higher than $15 at its IPO.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, neither a small parameter nor an implicit function argument is used.

Boundary Value Problems

Somewhere in the small argument, a protester dumped a water bottle of what was later discovered to be urine on Southern's head.

Vice

In a subsequent step, the complete elastodynamic fundamental solution along with its spatial derivatives and an asymptotic expansion for small argument, are all derived in closed-form using the Radon transform.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

"It's on two levels, with a small esoteric argument going on among readers of the Financial Times about the details and the rest in the tabloid headlines about jobs, the cost of borrowing, the loss of the pound and so on".

The Guardian - Business

If the instantaneous BER is Q β γ ̄, where β is the normalized (random) SNR, and the PDF of β has the small argument expansiona f β ( x ) = a x t + o ( x t + ε ) (16).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small argument", consider the context. If you want to downplay the significance of the disagreement, it's a suitable choice. However, if the disagreement had important consequences, a stronger term might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a small argument" when the disagreement was, in fact, significant or had serious repercussions. Inflating or deflating the situation can undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small argument" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific instance of disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small argument" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes a minor disagreement or dispute. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in a variety of contexts, most commonly in news, science, and general online content. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the implied scale of the argument, as overstating or understating the severity can impact the clarity and credibility of your writing. Consider alternatives like "a minor disagreement" or "a slight dispute" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor disagreement

Focuses on the lack of agreement rather than the process of arguing.

a slight dispute

Emphasizes the insignificance of the disagreement.

a brief contention

Highlights a short period of disagreement.

a petty quarrel

Suggests the argument is over something unimportant or trivial.

a minor squabble

Implies a noisy and somewhat childish argument.

a light tiff

Conveys a gentle and easily resolved argument.

a trivial disagreement

Underscores the lack of importance of the matter being disputed.

a minor conflict

Broadens the scope to any type of clash, not just verbal.

a bit of friction

Uses a metaphor to describe the tension caused by the disagreement.

a mild altercation

Suggests a more formal or public disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small argument" to describe a minor disagreement or dispute. For example, "They had "a small argument" about whose turn it was to do the dishes".

What are some alternatives to "a small argument"?

Some alternatives include "a minor disagreement", "a slight dispute", or "a brief contention".

Is "a small argument" formal or informal?

"A small argument" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "a minor disagreement".

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

While "a small argument" refers to a minor dispute, "a big argument" suggests a more serious and significant conflict. The scale of the disagreement and its potential consequences are the key differences.