a small discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor difference or inconsistency in data, information, or observations. Example: "After reviewing the reports, I noticed a small discrepancy in the figures presented by the two departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Even a small discrepancy could lead to completely different weather.

The New York Times

Both sides acknowledge that, normally, no one would be concerned about such a small discrepancy.

The New York Times

When she fretted over a small discrepancy on a balance sheet, a colleague mailed her a five-dollar bill to make up the difference.

The New York Times

Mr. Hooper held up the baskets, pleased with his find, then his eyes narrowed on a small discrepancy: one basket was slightly darker than the other.

The New York Times

In an emotionally charged four-and-a-half page letter, Mr. Raju, the chairman and co-founder of one of India's largest outsourcing companies, described to his board on Wednesday how a small discrepancy had mushroomed into one of the biggest scandals in Indian corporate history.

The New York Times

Barzun had heard Berlioz's "Rakoczy March" at a children's concert in Paris when he was four or five, and, nearly forty years later, when putting the finishing touches on his biography of the composer, he noticed that the French and German scores of "Roméo et Juliette" contained a small discrepancy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The current collapse was investigated and summarized in Fig. 3d, which shows a smaller discrepancy after ALD H2/NH3 plasma pre-treatment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

There is a small difference when comparing EM- or PHASE-derived haplotypes yielding a smaller discrepancy using the EM for INS and MCP1, and a smaller discrepancy using PHASE for IL-6.

Plosone

On the other hand, because owls have an intermediate biological time, there would be a smaller discrepancy for owls working night-shift or day-shift.

Plosone

Partly consistently, a study from another laboratory (Lai et al. 2012) showed that decreased rGMV in ACC and mPFC was associated with a smaller discrepancy between systemizing and empathizing (systemizing minus empathizing).

Brain Structure and Function

However, variable magnetic field Hall measurements and the quantitative mobility spectrum analysis [27] of the Hall data must be considered in order to distinguish the contribution of each channel though the analysis which may be further complicated as a result of the small discrepancy between the electron densities and the mobilities in the two channels [28].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small discrepancy", ensure the context clarifies what is being compared and why the difference is considered small or insignificant. Quantifying the discrepancy can add clarity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a small discrepancy" as a major problem. Ensure your language reflects the minor nature of the difference to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small discrepancy" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a minor difference or inconsistency. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts to point out minor variances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small discrepancy" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a minor difference or inconsistency. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears most often in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for a range of formal and informal communications. While the phrase is considered correct, it's important to ensure that the 'small' nature of the discrepancy is accurately reflected in the context, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "a minor difference" or "a slight inconsistency" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor difference

Focuses on the difference being insignificant.

a slight inconsistency

Highlights the lack of uniformity.

a marginal variation

Emphasizes the small degree of change.

a negligible divergence

Indicates a deviation that's almost nonexistent.

a trivial disparity

Points out an inequality of little importance.

a modest gap

Suggests a small space or interval.

a minimal deviation

Implies a slight departure from a standard or norm.

a tiny variation

Underscores the extremely small scale of change.

a limited inconsistency

Highlights that the nonconformity is not significant.

a low divergence

Emphasizes the small measure of deviation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small discrepancy" to point out a minor difference or inconsistency. For example, "There was "a small discrepancy" between the reported sales figures and the actual revenue."

What are some alternatives to "a small discrepancy"?

Alternatives include "a minor difference", "a slight inconsistency", or "a marginal variation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a small discrepancy" or "a large discrepancy"?

The choice depends on the actual difference you are describing. Use "a small discrepancy" when the difference is minor and insignificant. Use "a large discrepancy" when the difference is substantial and potentially important.

What does "a small discrepancy" imply about the data or information being discussed?

It suggests that while there is a difference, it is not significant enough to invalidate the overall findings or conclusions. Further investigation may be needed if the ""a small discrepancy"" is unexpected.