a small recommendation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small recommendation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a minor piece of advice or guidance to someone. Example: "I have a small recommendation for improving your presentation skills: practice in front of a mirror."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We have heard some things today, that they may have a small recommendation to bring home a couple thousand troops," Senator Reid said, noting that Congress had received several other assessments of the war, including one by the Government Accountability Office and another by a commission led by a retired Marine general, James L. Jones.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Similar to point-to-point navigation, for a small number of recommendations, none of the recommendation algorithms performs well (cf. Fig. 7).

Computational Social Networks

If, by any chance, you are thinking of marking the anniversary by reading the book, I have a small and obvious recommendation.

The Guardian - Books

The amount of content Showyou parses through every day is huge, so boiling down videos to a small set of recommendations is a monumental task.

TechCrunch

Qualitative feedback from the panellists participating in round 2 led to minor modifications of the wording of a small number of recommendations and their explanations.

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy

A small number of recommendations had no published corresponding quality indicator, such as use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Qualitative feedback from the panellists participating in round two led to minor modifications to wording of a small number of recommendations and their explanations.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

A number of smaller recommendations are already being acted on, like the purchase of more emergency lights, generators and small boats for firefighters.

The New York Times

But it adopted a series of smaller recommendations that, taken together, could spell major changes in the way access to sports is divided between boys and girls at high schools and colleges across the country.

The New York Times - Sports

For example, if safety effectiveness is expected to have a small impact from the recommendation, the safety effectiveness parameter is 105%.

European Transport Research Review

Basis for such recommendation: A small RCT tested the efficacy a hydrocortisone aceponate spray (Cortavance, Virbac) applied to previously affected areas on two consecutive days after lesions had been controlled with the same spray.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small recommendation" when you want to offer a suggestion that is not overly assertive or demanding. It implies a gentle approach and acknowledges that the recipient has the final say.

Common error

Avoid using "a small recommendation" when the situation calls for a more decisive or authoritative suggestion. If the matter is critical or requires immediate action, a stronger phrase would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small recommendation" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "recommendation". It serves to present a suggestion or piece of advice, implying that it is not particularly significant or demanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small recommendation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a noun phrase to introduce a minor suggestion or piece of advice. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's most suitable when you want to offer guidance in a gentle and unassuming way. While found across various sources including news and media and scientific publications, it's best to reserve it for scenarios that does not require more authoritative or decisive suggestions. Alternatives such as "a minor suggestion" or "a brief piece of advice" can also be considered depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor recommendation

Changes the article and keeps the meaning intact, slightly less common.

a minor suggestion

Replaces "recommendation" with a less formal term, emphasizing the insignificance of the advice.

a brief piece of advice

Substitutes "recommendation" with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting the conciseness of the guidance.

a slight suggestion

Emphasizes the subtlety and mildness of the proposed idea.

a modest proposal

Suggests a humble and unassuming idea, often used in formal contexts.

a gentle nudge

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a subtle encouragement or suggestion.

a helpful tip

Focuses on the practical and beneficial aspect of the advice.

a small piece of counsel

Replaces "recommendation" with a more formal and traditional term, emphasizing the wisdom of the advice.

a slight adjustment

Implies making a small change or alteration based on a recommendation.

a limited endorsement

Suggests only partial or qualified support for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small recommendation" to introduce a minor suggestion or piece of advice. For example, "I have "a small recommendation" for improving your presentation skills: try practicing in front of a mirror".

What phrases are similar to "a small recommendation"?

Similar phrases include "a minor suggestion", "a brief piece of advice", or "a slight suggestion", all implying a gentle or less assertive approach.

Is it appropriate to use "a small recommendation" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a small recommendation" may sound too informal for highly formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "a modest proposal" or "a small piece of counsel" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "a small recommendation" and "a strong recommendation"?

"A small recommendation" suggests a minor and less forceful piece of advice, whereas "a strong recommendation" implies a more significant and persuasive endorsement. The choice depends on the level of importance and urgency you want to convey.