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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a small divergence from
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a small divergence from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a minor difference or deviation from a particular standard, idea, or expectation. Example: "There is a small divergence from the original plan, but it should not affect the overall outcome."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(19)
a slight deviation from
a marginal difference from
a slight departure from
a minor departure from
a subtle alteration to
a modest variation from
a negligible change from
a fractional shift from
a small deviation from
a minimal deviation from
a marginal deviation from
a subtle deviation from
a tiny deviation from
a modest deviation from
a mild deviation from
a slight diversion from
a certain deviation from
a slight improvement from
a slight evolution from
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Even a small divergence from the correct transcriptional program can lead to severe defects and even death.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
From subsequent analyses, it has been determined that >80% of the extracted power could be funneled into a small divergence angle of 30°.
Science
Again, only a small divergence between the analytical and simulative solutions is noticeable.
The AMAC (acyl-malonyl condensing enzyme) subfamily was formed in multicellular organisms, with a smaller divergence time from human than Viridiplantae.
Science
Obviously the company's success there warmed the frozen hearts of our state's Liquor Control Board and allowed this small divergence from the status quo.
News & Media
Smaller values signify a smaller divergence and thus more similarity.
Science
Owl-eyed Harry Potter scholars will spot small divergences from the book even at the outset, when Harry bids farewell to his hateful relatives, the Dursleys (a moment of sympathy from Dudley, Harry's cousin, was cut from the film), and when Hermione, heartbreakingly, protects her parents by casting a spell that erases herself from their memories.
News & Media
The reason for normalising is that the IRFs are calculated on one standard deviation shocks and may deliver small divergences from unity.
Science
The low R values signify substantial degrees of clustering (significant at 99% confidence level), with higher degrees of clustering occurring around the peak of the infection and relatively small divergences from random distribution at the beginning of the outbreak.
This small divergence indicates that the two lines split off from each other about 270,000 to 440,000 years ago.
News & Media
Ideally, within-species divergence should be very small, while divergence from sister species and all other species is larger.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "a small divergence from" when you want to indicate a minor difference or deviation, ensuring that the context clarifies what is being diverged from. For example, "There is a small divergence from the original plan, but it doesn't affect the overall outcome."
Common error
Avoid using "a small divergence from" when the difference is actually substantial. This phrase is best suited for minor variations, not major departures.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a small divergence from" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate a slight deviation or difference. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, positioning it to denote nuanced distinctions.
Frequent in
Science
35%
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
30%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "a small divergence from" is a grammatically sound and useful way to express a minor difference or deviation. Ludwig AI underlines its correctness and applicability across various contexts, from scientific discussions to news reporting. The key is to use it accurately, ensuring that the divergence is indeed minor, and to avoid overstating its significance. By understanding its nuances and considering alternatives like "a slight deviation from" or "a minor variation from", writers can effectively communicate subtle distinctions in their writing. While its occurrence may not be widespread, mastering its usage adds precision to expression.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a slight deviation from
This alternative emphasizes the minor nature of the difference or departure from a standard.
a minor variation from
This alternative highlights the idea of a slight change or modification from something established.
a marginal difference from
This phrase stresses that the difference is barely noticeable or significant.
a negligible departure from
This emphasizes that the divergence is so small it's almost insignificant.
a subtle shift from
This highlights that the change is delicate and not immediately obvious.
a minimal alteration to
This suggests that only the smallest aspects have been modified.
a fractional modification of
This suggests the change involves only a very small fraction or part of something.
a hairline fracture from
This emphasizes a small break with the reference.
a trace of separation from
This underlines that there is only the slightest distancing.
an almost imperceptible variation of
This describes a very small difference, practically unnoticeable.
FAQs
How can I use "a small divergence from" in a sentence?
Use "a small divergence from" to describe a minor difference or deviation from a particular standard, idea, or expectation. Example: "There is "a small divergence from" the original plan, but it should not affect the overall outcome."
What are some alternatives to "a small divergence from"?
You can use alternatives like "a slight deviation from", "a minor variation from", or "a marginal difference from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it correct to say "a large divergence from"?
While grammatically correct, "a large divergence from" can sound somewhat unusual. More common alternatives would be "a significant divergence from", or "a major departure from".
What's the difference between ""a small divergence from"" and "a significant divergence from"?
"A small divergence from" indicates a minor difference or deviation, while "a significant divergence from" implies a notable and important difference.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested