a small difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small difference" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two similar things have a slight dissimilarity, such as "There is a small difference between the two books, but both are interesting reads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may seem only a small difference.

The Economist

It's a small difference, but crucial.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a small difference, but a notable one.

The New York Times

It is a small difference that signifies major change.

The New York Times

There is a small difference of opinion on his progress.

The New York Times - Sports

The exchange rate made only a small difference".

The Guardian

And this, you will agree, is not a small difference.

The Guardian

It's a small difference, but it's striking in historical context.

The New York Times

Kyoto, a preliminary agreement, will make but a small difference.

The Economist

Klop had made a small difference to history; something that his son never managed.

The Guardian

But at the high end, a small difference has cataclysmic impact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the impact of something seemingly insignificant, use "a small difference" to highlight that even minor variations can lead to substantial outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "a small difference" when the dissimilarity is actually significant. Choose a more appropriate phrase to accurately reflect the magnitude of the variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small difference" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a slight dissimilarity between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and readily used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small difference" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a minor dissimilarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, and science. While the variation it describes might seem insignificant, it often highlights a crucial point or has a larger impact. Alternatives include "a minor distinction", "a subtle variation", and "a negligible disparity". Remember to use "a small difference" when the dissimilarity is genuinely minor, and avoid overstating its impact. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor distinction

Replaces 'difference' with 'distinction' and 'small' with 'minor', implying a less significant variation.

a subtle variation

Replaces 'difference' with 'variation' and 'small' with 'subtle', suggesting a delicate and not easily noticeable change.

a negligible disparity

Replaces 'small difference' with 'negligible disparity', indicating that the difference is so small it's practically unimportant.

a marginal contrast

Replaces 'difference' with 'contrast' and 'small' with 'marginal', emphasizing a slight difference found when comparing two things.

a slight nuance

Replaces the entire phrase with 'a slight nuance', which refers to a very subtle difference in meaning or expression.

a trivial discrepancy

Replaces 'small difference' with 'trivial discrepancy', conveying that the variation is so insignificant it's not worth worrying about.

a hair's breadth

Uses an idiomatic expression, 'a hair's breadth', to represent an extremely small difference or margin.

a slim margin

Emphasizes that the difference is as small as possible by using the term 'slim margin'.

a touch of difference

Expresses that there is a 'touch' of something that is not completely new, not of great measure.

a delicate distinction

Replaces 'difference' with 'distinction' and 'small' with 'delicate' to refer to a distinction so fine or subtle as to require careful perception or handling.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small difference" to indicate a slight dissimilarity between two or more things, like "There's "a small difference" in the color, but overall they look the same."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small difference"?

Instead of "a small difference", you could say "a minor distinction", "a subtle variation", or "a negligible disparity", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to quantify "a small difference"?

No, it's not always necessary. The context often implies the scale. However, quantifying it can provide more clarity, for example, "The price had "a small difference" of only 5 dollars".

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

"A small difference" indicates a slight dissimilarity that may or may not be significant, while "a big difference" implies a notable and important dissimilarity. Consider to say: "There's "a small difference", but I can't see it" or "The "big difference" is on the price."