a small dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small dispute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor disagreement or conflict between parties. Example: "The two neighbors had a small dispute over the property line, but they managed to resolve it amicably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Some $43 million, it seems, from a small dispute the New York Fed had with the bank on two of the mortgage securities.

The New York Times

And Karabakh, a region with only 100,000 or so people, has been what diplomats call "a pebble in the shoe": a small dispute causing big discomfort.More than 600,000 Azeri refugees, mostly from Karabakh and nearby towns like Lachin and Agdam, are still homeless.

The Economist

Recalling an outbreak of violence two years ago, he explained how a small dispute was manipulated and treated as an outbreak of communal violence.

Huffington Post

"We have seen that large-scale conflict often builds from a small dispute.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Pickett is caught in a small poaching dispute with a developer when his wife begins receiving calls from a man who claims to be Stewie Woods.

The New York Times - Books

Well, in one of his more insightful pieces, the bould K. witnesses a small land dispute in his area, a trivial matter to him over the ownership of a small fragment of a field.

The Guardian - Sport

Seems like we've got ourselves a good ol' fashioned origin story, In the first clip, we see Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) having a small domestic dispute with his wife Milah Rachel Shelleyy) over her unsavory choice of drinking company, and get our first glimpse of O'Donoghue's charming Captain.

Huffington Post

Members of the team have already successfully mediated between two men, one of whom had a gun, over a small land dispute and between two young men using sticks against each other.

Unicef

While this seemingly small dispute was eventually resolved, the knee-jerk boycott threat does not bode well for the government's ability to cooperate in the future.

The Guardian

A small number disputed that climate change is an issue, which is contrary to the view of all of the world's leading scientific institutions and the 174 nations that signed the landmark Paris climate accord last year.

The Guardian

"A smaller number dispute that.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small dispute", consider the audience and context. While acceptable in most situations, more formal or professional settings might benefit from alternatives like "minor disagreement" or "slight conflict" for added precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a small dispute" when the disagreement is actually significant or has serious consequences. Doing so can trivialize the situation and undermine the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small dispute" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing minor disagreements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small dispute" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe a minor disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the phrase is often found in news and media contexts. While suitable for general use, it's important to consider the level of formality required in the specific writing situation and choose alternative phrases like "minor disagreement" or "slight conflict" when appropriate. Avoid using "a small dispute" when the issue is actually significant, as this can undermine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor disagreement

Focuses on the lack of agreement rather than the conflict itself.

a slight conflict

Emphasizes the low intensity of the disagreement.

a light disagreement

Stresses the lack of seriousness in the disagreement.

a petty quarrel

Suggests the dispute is trivial and often childish.

a trivial argument

Highlights the insignificance of the argument.

a minor squabble

Implies a noisy and brief argument.

a negligible contention

Uses more formal language to emphasize the unimportance of the disagreement.

an insignificant difference

Downplays the importance of the differing opinions.

a friendly argument

Suggests the dispute is not hostile or damaging to the relationship.

a small misunderstanding

Emphasizes that the dispute stems from a lack of clear communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small dispute" to describe a minor disagreement or conflict. For example, "The neighbors had "a small dispute" over the fence line, but they resolved it quickly".

What's a more formal alternative to "a small dispute"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "minor disagreement", "slight conflict", or "limited contention" instead of "a small dispute".

Is "a small dispute" the same as "a minor argument"?

While similar, "a small dispute" often implies a more formal or official disagreement than "a minor argument". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Can "a small dispute" escalate into a larger conflict?

Yes, even "a small dispute" can escalate if not properly managed or resolved. It's important to address disagreements promptly to prevent them from growing into larger issues.