a small preponderance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small preponderance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or minor dominance or superiority in a particular context, such as in arguments, evidence, or statistics. Example: "In the debate, there was a small preponderance of evidence favoring the opposing side's argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Interestingly, the profile of antibacterial drugs is very different, with a markedly lower number of neutral compounds so that all categories are well-represented, with a small preponderance of acidic compounds.

Journal of Cheminformatics

It usually occurs in elderly patients, with a gender ratio close to 1 and a small preponderance in males.

Cancer Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The prevalence of intraosseous ganglia has been reported to have a small male preponderance [ 7], but no significant difference based on sex was seen in the current series.

BioMed Research International

A primary CNS tumour was diagnosed in 3983 children in 1985–2006 (Table 1), with a small male preponderance.

British Journal of Cancer

When the preponderance of sales comes through a small group of sellers, that gives each of them a lot of power to negotiate things like price and store display.

TechCrunch

The risk profile of the overall public in itself should not be a surprise; as insurers know from their experience with Medicare, Medicaid, and employer health plans, a small minority of patients always accounts for the preponderance of costs.

Los Angeles Times

It is generally agreed that the vast preponderance of abuse is committed by a small percentage of officers -- less than 5percentt of the force.

Huffington Post

During EB formation in vitro, only a small fraction of differentiated definitive endoderm derived cells arise while a preponderance of ectoderm and mesodermal cells are generated.

Plosone

One might expect, therefore, that standard short read assemblers developed for microbial/animal genomes may encounter analogous difficulties to the ones discussed here, albeit on a smaller scale, simply because of this increased preponderance of highly similar sequences in plants.

BMC Genomics

Furthermore, homozygosity for the A-allele is also associated with a preponderance of small dense-LDL particles.

Disease Markers

Patients with diabetes are prone to have dyslipidemia such as high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, and a preponderance of small dense LDL particles, and a high prevalence of dyslipidemia contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic macrovascular disease in patients with diabetes [ 11, 12].

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small preponderance", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being slightly more prevalent or dominant. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small preponderance" when the difference is negligible or statistically insignificant. Ensure the 'preponderance' genuinely reflects a meaningful difference, however slight, and not just random variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small preponderance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a state where something has a slight or minor dominance. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small preponderance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a slight dominance or majority, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage is relatively rare but correct, primarily appearing in formal and scientific writing. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly define what is being slightly more prevalent and ensure that the difference is meaningful to avoid overstating the phrase's significance. While it is acceptable to use in your writing, consider some alternative words to avoid repetition. Some possible alternatives are "minority advantage" or "slight majority".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight majority

Replaces "preponderance" with a more common term, focusing on numerical superiority.

small majority

Similar to "slight majority" but emphasizes the small size of the majority.

minority advantage

Emphasizes a slight edge or benefit rather than a larger quantity.

marginal superiority

Highlights a minimal level of being better or greater.

slight edge

Focuses on having a small advantage over others.

modest dominance

Indicates a limited degree of control or influence.

slight excess

Highlights a small amount that is more than what is needed or usual.

hint of prevalence

Suggests a subtle presence or occurrence that is more frequent.

trace of ascendancy

Implies a minimal level of rising power or influence.

minor incline

It represents a tendency instead of a large change in a phenomenon.

FAQs

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

Use "a small preponderance" to indicate a slight dominance or majority. For example: "There was "a small preponderance" of evidence supporting the claim."

What's the difference between "a small preponderance" and "a slight majority"?

"A small preponderance" and "a slight majority" are very similar. "A slight majority" often refers to numerical superiority, while "a small preponderance" can refer to a greater influence or weight even if not strictly numerical.

What are some alternatives to using "a small preponderance"?

Alternatives include "slight advantage", "minority advantage", or "slight majority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a small preponderance" formal or informal?

"A small preponderance" leans towards formal usage, often found in academic or professional contexts. More informal alternatives might include "slight edge" or "small advantage".