a small comfort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small comfort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a small thing that provides some relief or reassurance in a difficult situation. Example: After his divorce, the fact that he could still see his children on the weekends was a small comfort.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

At first, the segment struck me as a little odd, until I realized that it was intended for listeners with small children, for whom Elmo, as a part of their daily media routine, might serve as a small comfort in a suboptimally comfortable world.

The New Yorker

It's a small comfort.

The New Yorker

IT WAS a small comfort.

The Economist

Which is a small comfort.

The Guardian

But that is a small comfort that always comes with an important caveat.

The New York Times - Books

It is a small comfort, but ticking that box affords me a degree of extra control.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Of course, the likelihood of a decline is small comfort to the millions of people already facing much higher costs for fuel, food and other products.

The New York Times

Wales have won a Test in South Africa, albeit the small comfort of a 57-10 1995 World Cup Pool D match win over Japan  in Bloemfontein - their only triumph at that tournament.

BBC

Sadiq Khan's expected win in London, a Labour heartland, offers small comfort.

The Guardian - Opinion

Agnosticism, we read everywhere, is blighting the Church; attendance has been falling away; the clergy has turned from the old-time religion to a worldly theology, of small comfort to the humble.

The New Yorker

Cuccinelli is pro life, pro drilling, and pro gun, even to the extent of supporting the legality of one carrying a licensed concealed handgun into a club or restaurant, provided (small comfort) that the person does not imbibe.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small comfort", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger difficulty or sorrow from which this comfort offers only minor relief. This highlights the contrast and makes the phrase more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "a small comfort" when the comfort provided is actually substantial. Using it in such cases diminishes the true impact and can sound disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small comfort" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something that provides minor relief or reassurance. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as finding comfort in family support or knowing someone's warnings were heeded.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small comfort" is a commonly used expression to describe something that provides slight relief or reassurance in a difficult situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal writing. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring the comfort described is genuinely minor and not overstating its significance. Related phrases like "a slight solace" or "a minor consolation" can offer variety while maintaining a similar meaning. When crafting your writing, remember to establish the larger context of difficulty to highlight the contrast effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight solace

Replaces "comfort" with "solace", implying a more profound sense of relief, though still limited.

a minor consolation

Substitutes "comfort" with "consolation", suggesting a lessening of grief or disappointment, but on a small scale.

a meager reassurance

Replaces "comfort" with "reassurance" and "small" with "meager", emphasizing the limited nature of the reassurance.

a limited solace

Using "limited" instead of "small" emphasizes the restricted degree of comfort provided.

a bit of relief

Shifts from "comfort" to "relief", focusing on the easing of distress rather than emotional support, and uses "bit" to indicate a small amount.

a trace of consolation

Replaces "small" with "trace", highlighting the minimal amount of consolation offered.

a faint reassurance

Using "faint" emphasizes the subtle and weak nature of the reassurance.

a marginal benefit

Shifts the focus to the positive aspect or advantage derived, even if only to a small degree.

a light consolation

Using "light" instead of "small" characterizes the consolation as being gentle and not burdensome.

a shadow of relief

Emphasizes the insubstantial nature of the relief provided, like a mere shadow.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small comfort" to describe something that provides a slight degree of relief or reassurance in a difficult situation. For example, "After losing his job, the support of his family was "a small comfort"."

What are some alternatives to "a small comfort"?

Some alternatives to "a small comfort" include "a slight solace", "a minor consolation", or "a meager reassurance". These phrases all suggest a limited but still welcome source of relief.

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

Yes, "a small comfort" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its meaning is clear and widely understood, making it suitable for various contexts.

What's the difference between "a small comfort" and "a great comfort"?

"A small comfort" implies a limited amount of relief or reassurance, while "a great comfort" suggests a significant and substantial source of support. The choice depends on the degree of relief you want to convey.