a small gesture of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small gesture of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor act of kindness or goodwill intended to show appreciation or support. Example: "She brought flowers as a small gesture of gratitude for their help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

This use is a small gesture of control — and generosity.

The New York Times - Books

In the complex world of football, this is a small gesture of faith.

The Washington Post

We might have made a small gesture of goodwill but not 40,000 Swiss francs.

The Guardian - Sport

In a tough week the Paris ratification was a small gesture of defiance against trend.

The Guardian

Luckily enough, a crowdfunding campaign started by a sympathiser as a "small gesture of solidarity" ended up raising over £15,000 at the time of writing.

Independent

The Scottish campaigner, Stuart Campbell, who set up the campaign told The Independent it was a "small gesture of solidarity" and called her prosecution "grotesque".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Their infants have just been vaccinated against polio – a small gesture for good, one of the many millions in a massive anti-polio campaign to make sure every child is immunized.

Unicef

Really any small gesture of kindness will suffice, just begin!

Huffington Post

She is frequently still, or close to it, as if testing the air with a small gesture or set of subtle weight shifts.

The New York Times - Arts

Airbnb's "SThisn" Logo: Successful Desisn Isn't Always Original, and Thopefully

Vice

It was a small gesture, a moment of kindness shown by a cashier at a local store, but for one Ohio family going through a challenging time this holiday season, the simple act had a profound impact.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions intended to mend relationships or show support, "a small gesture of" can be particularly effective in emphasizing the goodwill behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "a small gesture of" to describe actions that are inherently significant or large-scale. Overusing the phrase in such contexts can diminish its impact and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small gesture of" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a modifier. It introduces a description of an action or offering, emphasizing its modest scale while highlighting its significance as an expression of feeling or intent, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small gesture of" is a common phrase used to describe an action that, while not grand in scale, holds significant meaning or expresses a specific sentiment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to avoid overusing the phrase or applying it to inherently large-scale actions, as doing so can dilute its intended impact. The phrase has several alternatives like "a minor act of", "a token of" and "a slight indication of" that can be used depending on the nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor act of

Replaces "gesture" with "act", focusing on the action itself rather than its symbolic meaning. It is slightly more general.

a token of

Emphasizes the symbolic value and representational nature of the action. It suggests something given or done to signify a feeling or intention.

a small token of

Combines "small" with "token", underscoring both the modest scale and symbolic value of the expression.

a slight indication of

Highlights the subtle expressive nature, suggesting the gesture is a hint or clue about an underlying feeling or intention.

a simple expression of

Emphasizes the easiness and lack of complexity in expressing something through a small gesture.

a little display of

Replaces "gesture" with "display", emphasizing the visibility and outward expression of the action.

a brief show of

Highlights the concise and fleeting nature of the action, framing it as a quick demonstration.

a minimal demonstration of

Stresses the reduced and basic level of expression of sentiment through action.

a soft hint of

Focuses on subtlety, positioning the gesture as a delicate clue or suggestion rather than an overt action.

a quiet symbol of

Emphasizes the understated significance, viewing the gesture as a wordless representation or emblem.

FAQs

How can I use "a small gesture of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small gesture of" to describe a minor act expressing kindness, gratitude, or support. For example, "Bringing coffee was "a small gesture of" appreciation for her hard work."

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor act of", "a token of", or "a slight indication of" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify that a gesture is 'small'?

No, specifying that a gesture is "small" is not always necessary. It's useful when you want to emphasize the modesty of the action while highlighting its positive impact or intention. Without 'small', the focus shifts to the gesture itself, irrespective of its magnitude.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a small gesture of"?

It's best to avoid using the phrase when describing actions that are inherently grand, significant, or obligatory. Overusing it can diminish its genuine value and can be misleading.