a small benefit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small benefit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a minor advantage or positive aspect of something. Example: "While the new policy has its drawbacks, it does offer a small benefit in terms of increased flexibility for employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This promises a small benefit for fund managers.

The Economist

Was the possibility of a small benefit worth the risk?

The New York Times

Whether one offers a small benefit over the other should be considered a minor issue.

Stanford University

"People are willing to give up a lot of privacy for a small benefit.

The New York Times - Tech

Researchers found that it may be associated with a "small benefit" to memory years later.

The Times

However, even a small benefit from calorie posting would exceed the low cost of posting, making it a worthwhile policy.

Stanford University

But given the desperation of lung cancer patients, even such a small benefit could spur use of the drug.

The New York Times

One substance, pyruvate, showed a small benefit over a placebo, about two and a half pounds in six weeks.

The New York Times - Health

Meanwhile, rail travellers will see a small benefit, with future price rises pegged to inflation rather than inflation-plus-1inflation-plus-1inflation-plus-1%

The Guardian - Money

l-glutamine-supplemented diet extenuates NO-mediated damage on the myenteric plexus although has a small benefit on oxidative stress.

Food Research International

Like Facebook, and Twitter, and the countless other websites that ask us to surrender our privacy for a small benefit, we'd gladly pony up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential outcomes, use "a small benefit" to realistically temper expectations, especially when larger gains are uncertain.

Common error

Avoid overstating the significance of "a small benefit". Ensure your language accurately reflects the modest nature of the advantage to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small benefit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "benefit". This construction serves to quantify or qualify the extent or degree of the benefit being described. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to denote a limited or modest advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small benefit" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a minor advantage or positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and academic papers, suggesting its suitability for various contexts. While alternatives like "a minor advantage" or "a slight gain" exist, "a small benefit" offers a clear and widely understood way to communicate a modest improvement or positive aspect. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid exaggeration and ensure that the described benefit aligns with its limited scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor advantage

Emphasizes the advantage aspect, downplaying the benefit itself.

a slight advantage

Highlights the minimal nature of the advantage.

a modest gain

Focuses on the gain, portraying it as moderate rather than substantial.

a marginal improvement

Stresses the minimal impact of the improvement.

a limited advantage

Indicates that the advantage is restricted in scope or duration.

a negligible benefit

Highlights that the benefit is so small as to be almost insignificant.

a trivial advantage

Suggests that the advantage is unimportant or insignificant.

a modest upside

Emphasizes the positive potential in a restrained manner.

a light perk

Suggests a minor, additional advantage.

a minimal gain

Indicates that the gain is almost at the bare minimum.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small benefit" to describe a minor advantage or positive outcome. For example, "The new policy offers "a small benefit" to employees in terms of flexibility."

What are some alternatives to "a small benefit"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a minor advantage", "a slight gain", or "a modest improvement", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a small benefit" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small benefit" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to describe a minor advantage. However, consider alternatives like "a limited advantage" if you want a more formal tone.

When should I use "a small benefit" instead of "a significant benefit"?

Use "a small benefit" when the advantage is minor or not substantial. If the benefit is considerable, use "a significant benefit" instead.