a small points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small points" is not correct in English.
It should be "a small point" or "small points" depending on the context. You can use "a small point" when referring to a single minor detail or aspect of a discussion or argument. Example: "I just wanted to clarify a small point regarding the budget proposal."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Northants head coach David Ripley said: "While it's disappointing to be relegated with such a small points total, I think we can genuinely point to a fair bit of misfortune this season.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is not a small point.

The Guardian

It seems like a small point.

The Guardian - Tech

A small point, Mr. Soderbergh said, but telling.

The New York Times

That is not a small point.

The New York Times

It is a small point, but a telling one.

The New York Times - Magazine

There was a small point in the play.

The New York Times

It is a small point, but sharia means law.

Independent

It's a small point, but it's indicative of a larger problem.

The New York Times - Arts

"Do you want some dinner?" they ask, a thrusting arm turning into a small point.

The Guardian

Beaches that we'd never had a chance to appreciate were around a small point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If referring to a singular instance, use "a small point". If referring to multiple instances, use "small points".

Common error

Be mindful of using the correct plural or singular form. "Points" is plural; therefore, it cannot follow the singular article "a". Use "a small point" for a single item or "small points" for multiple items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small points" is intended to function as a noun phrase, aiming to identify one or more minor items. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct form would be either "a small point" (singular) or "small points" (plural).

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “a small points” is a grammatically incorrect construction, as noted by Ludwig AI. The article "a" is reserved for singular nouns, making "a small point" the appropriate singular form and "small points" the correct plural form. While the intention is to convey minor details, the incorrect grammar undermines clarity. Numerous alternatives exist, such as “"a minor point"” or “"minor details"”, depending on whether you’re referring to one or multiple items. It's important to maintain grammatical accuracy for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor point

Replaces "small points" with "minor point", correcting the grammatical error by using the singular form to agree with the article "a".

minor details

Combines "minor" and "details" to emphasize both the small size and plural nature of the points being discussed.

small details

Uses the plural noun "details" to express multiple minor aspects, avoiding the grammatical error in the original phrase.

a trivial detail

Replaces "small" with "trivial" to highlight the unimportance of the detail, while correcting the grammar.

insignificant details

Uses "insignificant" to stress the lack of importance and "details" to ensure grammatical correctness.

slight nuances

Focuses on subtle distinctions rather than direct points, providing a more nuanced alternative.

a subtle aspect

Highlights the delicate nature of the aspect, implying it is not immediately obvious or significant.

minor considerations

Emphasizes that the points are things to think about but are not critical.

small considerations

Emphasizes that the considerations are things to think about but are not critical.

a fine distinction

Highlights a subtle difference that may be important in a specific context.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a small points"?

The grammatically correct phrasing is either "a small point" (singular) or "small points" (plural). The article "a" requires a singular noun.

When should I use "a small point" versus "small points"?

"A small point" is used when referring to a single, minor detail or issue. "Small points" is used when referring to multiple minor details or issues. Consider these alternatives: "minor details" or "slight nuances".

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a minor detail", "a trivial matter", or "an insignificant aspect".

Is "a small points" ever grammatically correct?

No, "a small points" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The article "a" is used before singular nouns, not plural nouns.