a small correction

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small correction" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are making a quick, minor adjustment to something that has been written or said. For example, "I noticed you wrote 'American' instead of 'Canadian'--just a small correction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

A small correction is in order.

The New Yorker

So that's just a small correction.

Yale University

The fourth term makes a small correction to the third.

Britannica

Credits are a small correction for the market's great dysfunction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Edward Snowden: First of all, a small correction for the record.

The Guardian

"But it wouldn't surprise me if we had a small correction first".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Apparently, a sensor mounted in a high-velocity zone will yield a smaller correction factor than one mounted in a low-velocity zone.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Generally, a smaller correction threshold was associated with a higher rate of margin reductions.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Hopefully, by the time it stops, it will be pointing straight down the canal (if not, a smaller correction may be needed).

WikiHow

They can be normalized by the ratio of clean exposures, with a possible small correction due to the slow rate decrease as seen in Fig. 12 above.

Harvard University

The signatures of new particles can show up as a very small correction to the Standard Model's predictions, and creating huge numbers of decaying particles, like heavy bosons or quarks, could reveal them.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small correction" when you want to politely point out a minor error without sounding overly critical. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "a small correction" for substantial errors or misrepresentations, as it may downplay the importance of the issue and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small correction" functions as a noun phrase, often used to introduce a minor revision or clarification. It acts as a polite way to point out an error without being overly critical, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small correction" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce minor revisions or clarifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a polite and non-confrontational way to rectify inaccuracies across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While its register leans toward formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure the correction is genuinely minor to avoid misrepresenting the significance of the issue. For alternative phrasing, consider "a minor adjustment" or "a slight modification" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor adjustment

Focuses on the act of adjusting rather than correcting.

a slight modification

Emphasizes a change that is not drastic.

a tiny alteration

Highlights the minimal nature of the change.

a minimal revision

Stresses the aspect of reviewing and slightly changing something.

a modest amendment

Suggests a formal or official change of a minor nature.

a marginal improvement

Focuses on the enhancement aspect of the change.

a light touch-up

Implies a gentle and delicate refinement.

a superficial fix

Indicates a correction that doesn't address fundamental issues.

a mere adjustment

Stresses insignificance of adjustment.

a fractional change

Highlights the mathematical or proportional aspect of the adjustment.

FAQs

How to use "a small correction" in a sentence?

You can use "a small correction" to introduce a minor change or clarification. For example, "Just "a small correction": the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, not Wednesday."

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor adjustment", "a slight modification", or "a tiny alteration" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a small correction" or "a minor correct"?

"A small correction" is correct. "Correct" functions as a noun in this context, and "correction" is the appropriate noun form. "Minor correct" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a small correction" and "a slight correction"?

While both phrases indicate a minor adjustment, "a slight correction" might imply an even smaller or more subtle change than ""a small correction"". The difference is subtle and often interchangeable.